Synthesis and Chelation Ion-exchange Study of Copolymer Resin Derived from Resorcinol and Melamine

Copolymer was synthesized by condensation of resorcinol (R) and melamine (M) with formaldehyde (F) in the presence of 2M HCl as catalyst. Water pollution due to arsenic leaching is one of the biggest problems all over the world. Ion-exchange studies of this purified copolymer resin was carried out for As³⁺ions. A copolymer proved to be a selective chelating ion-exchange copolymer for certain metals. Chelating ion-exchange properties of this copolymer were studied for As³⁺ions. A batch equilibrium method was employed in the study of the selectivity of metal ion uptake involving the measurements of the distribution of a given metal ion between the polymer sample and a solution containing the metal ion. The study was carried out over a wide pH range and in media of various ionic strengths. The copolymer showed a higher selectivity for As³⁺ions.