Selectivity study of strongly acidic cation exchange resin Amberlite IR-120

The thermodynamic measurements was carried out to study the selectivity of cation exchange resin Amberlite IR-120 in protonated form with respect to Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺ ions in solution. The equilibrium constant K was calculated using the activity coefficients of ions in solution as well as in the resin. The K values calculated for the reacting systems increase with temperature that suggests the endothermic exchange reactions with estimated enthalpy values of 38.8, 20.6, 8.45, and 7.24 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. On the basis of calculated parameters, the selectivity of ion exchange resin with respect to various bivalent ions in the solution was predicted. The method used in our experimental work provides a basis for characterization of ion exchange resins, which can be promising materials for efficient separation of ions from industrial waste effluents.