STUDIES ON PHENOL-FORMALDEHYDE RESIN BLENDED WITH SULPHONATED RICINUS COMMUNIS LINN CARBON

Abstract

Phenol-Formaldehyde Resin (PFR) is the prepared base for cross linking agent for blending of Sulphonated Ricinus
communis Linn., Carbon (SRCC). A few composite cation-exchangers were prepared by varying the amount of SRCC
(sulphonated carbon prepared from a source of cheap and renewable plant material) in the blends from 0 to 100% (w/w).
Optimum principal reaction conditions for the preparation of blends were determined. All the important physicochemical, thermal and spectral properties of the composites resins have been determined and analysed. The composites
are insoluble in various organic solvents and reagents. The composites are thermally stable and stable towards various
reagents. It was found that the ion-exchange capacity (IEC) of the composite resins, decreased with the increasing
percentage of SRCC in the blend. The composites up to 30% (w/w) blending retains the essential properties of the
original PFR, since the Ricinus communis Linn., is the low cost, freely available plant material. Therefore, the composites
could be used as low cost ion-exchangers, when SRCC partly replaces the original PFR up to 30% (w/w) blending
without affecting the properties of PFR.