Carbon adsorbents from waste ion-exchange resins

A series of activated carbons was prepared from different waste commercial ion-exchange resins and studied by means of adsorption, SEM and IR methods. Samples were additionally washed or washed/frozen. This resulted in increases in micro- and mesoporosity in comparison with initial activated carbons. For some samples, the latter treatment gives enhancement of mesoporosity but reduction of microporosity and vice versa comparing with only washed carbons due to different localization of water droplets in mesopores or micropores. Changes in the morphology of chars and activated samples depended on resin composition and history. Relatively high values of porosity (Vp ≈ 0.4 cm3/g) and specific surface area (SBET ≈ 600 m2/g) show that activated carbons prepared from waste ion-exchange resins can be utilized for different purposes, especially after additional treatment (such as washing, impregnation by certain compounds and subsequent thermal activation).