The influence of ionic form and Cu2O particles on thermal stability of carboxylic cation exchangers

Abstract

In this study the interaction of polymeric support with carboxylic groups and dispersed cuprous oxide particles on thermal and wetting properties of composite materials was investigated. Carboxylic cation exchangers (CCEs) in the Cu2+ form (macroporous, M and gel-type structure, G) was reacted with an ascorbic acid/NaOH solution to obtain hybrid ion exchangers containing Cu2O fine particles (over 20.0 wt% of Cu). The results of thermal analysis, under air and under N2, of CCEs with carboxylic groups in the H+ and Na+ form and obtained composites (M/H, M/Na, M/Na#Cu2O, M/H#Cu2O and G/H, G/Na, G/Na#Cu2O, G/H#Cu2O) were discussed. The TG/DTG curves shoved varied content of the hygroscopic water in examined materials, in the range of 4.05–22.55 wt%. It was found that similarly to M/Na and G/Na, M/Na#Cu2O and G/Na#Cu2O were stable until up to 450 °C, while M/H#Cu2O, G/H#Cu2O decomposed faster than M/H and G/H, below 200 °C. By X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy, Na2CO3, CuO, Cu2O and Cu0 were identified in the solid residues, whose mass reached 55.0 wt%. The obtained multifunctional, thermal stable and exceptionally rich in Cu2O composite materials are potential catalysts, sorbents and biocides.