Sulfonic Groups-containing Ion Exchange Fiber: Sybthesis, Characterization And Adsorption Properties

Due to its various application forms and excellent adsorption performance, sulfonic groups-containing ion exchange fiber was widely used in environmental protection, resource recovery and recycling, elements separation and enrichment, pharmaceutical industry, etc. In this paper, two methods were used to synthesize sulfonic grougs-containing ion exchange fiber. First, a novel direct method was used to synthesize a sulfonic groups-containing ion exchange fiber, named RPFS-â… , using polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber as the matrix fiber and taurine (NH2CH2CH2SO3H) as the sulfonating agent. Second, traditional grafting method was used to synthesize a sulfonic groups-containing ion exchange fiber, named RPFS-â…¡, using the grafting fiber, polypropylene-styrene-divinylbenzene (PP-ST-DVB), as the matrix fiber and the sulfuric acid as the sulfonating agent. The influence of various reaction factors on properties and performance of RPFS-â… and RPFS-â…¡were investigated. The synthesis mechanisms of these two fibers were studied. And the chemical structures and mechanical performances of these two fibers were analyzed. The adsorption properties of the prepared sulfonic groups-containing fibers, RPFS-â… and RPFS-â…¡were preliminary investigated by static adsorption experiments towards methylene blue (MB) and Pb (â…¡) ions in aqueous solutions.RPFS-â… -H and RPFS-â…¡-H were synthesized under the optimal synthesis conditions. Their ion exchange capacities were 2.7 mmol/g and 3.0 mmol/g, respectively. And the stretching resistances of RPFS-â… -H and RPFS-â…¡-H were 6.09 cN and 11.02 cN, respectively. Under studied conditions, the adsorption equilibriums of MB by RPFS-â… and RPFS-â…¡both achieved within 20 min. And the adsorption equilibrium of Pb (â…¡) by RPFS-â… and RPFS-â…¡both achieved within 10 min. It could be concluded from the results that:The sulfonic groups were successfully introduced onto both matrix fibers. RPFS-â… and RPFS-â…¡presented high exchange capacities and at the same time maintained good mechanical properties. Therefore, RPFS-â… and RPFS-â…¡can meet the requirement for further processing. Compared with the traditional grafting method, this new direct method was simple (one step process) and environment friendly (no harmful chemicals were used). Methylene blue (MB) and Pb(â…¡) in water were effectively adsorbed by RPFS-â… and RPFS-â…¡, indicating that these two sulfonic groups-containing ion exchange fibers would have great potential application in the treatment of waste water.