A sulfate cation exchange resin was fabricated based on an unexpected SuFEx hydrolysis by treatment with tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBS) protected alkyl alcohol and catalyst. The polystyrene-based beads in various degrees of fluorosulfonation were synthesized by the emulsion/suspension polymerization of styrene and 4-vinylphenyl sulfofluoridate with divinyl benzene as a crosslinker, followed by the hydrolysis in strong basic solution and mild SuFEx-based hydrolysis condition. Then, FTIR was used to probe the presence of sulfate moieties on the beads after hydrolysis. The varying sulfate densities were investigated by zeta-potential. The results indicated this strategy has a good control over the charge density on ion exchange resins. Compared to strong basic hydrolysis, the hydrolyzed beads with milder SuFEx-based treatment can keep an intact spherical structure revealed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Finally, a simple ion capture experiment was performed employing a cationic dye, methylene blue, to evaluate the ability of these hydrolyzed polymeric products to serve as ion exchange resins. It was found that the amount of color retained by the new cation exchange resins qualitatively appeared to correlate well with the density of sulfate moieties present as polymer beads.<br/>

SuFEx-based hydrolysis strategy for the preparation of sulfate cation exchange resins

2019 Spring National Meeting

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