Synthesis and Characterization of New Composite Ion Exchangers

Abstract

The charcoals obtained by sulphonating the tannin-rich spent tea dust

and gum tree bark were used separately to replace the polymeric matrix

of phenolformaldehyde cation exchanger, varying the substituent content

from 0 to 100%. All the important characteristics of the composites have

been determined. It is observed that the composites up to 30% substitution

with the characoals of the said tannin-rich materials are economical, since

the composites obtained retain all the essential properties of the pure

phenolic cationite.