Thermal and ion-exchange studies on chelating terpolymer resins derived from o cresol urea formaldehyde

Terpolymers prepared by condensation of o cresol and urea with formaldehyde in presence of acid catalyst (2 M HCl) proved to be selective chelating ion exchange resins for certain metal ions. The molecular weights of the synthesised terpolymers were determined by GPC Technique. TGA analysis was employed to study the thermal stability and the kinetic data like activation energy of the terpolymer resins. Chelation ion exchange properties of these terpolymers were studied for Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions. A batch equilibrium method was employed in the study of the selectivity of metal ion uptake involving the measurements of distribution of a given metal ion between the polymer samples. The study was carried out over a wide pH range and in media of various ionic strengths.