Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 1996, 35, 1195-1205
1195
An Emerging Class of Volatile Organic Compound Sorbents: Friedel-Crafts Modified Polystyrenes. 1. Synthesis, Characterization, and Performance in Aqueous- and Vapor-Phase Applications Edward J. Simpson,*,† William J. Koros, and Robert S. Schechter Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
In the first of a two-part series on Friedel-Crafts modified polystyrene (FCMPS), synthesis and characterization of FCMPS are described, including aqueous- and vapor-phase sorption equilibrium isotherms. The effect of synthesis variables on the final polymer properties was studied, including the choice of the cross-linking agent, percent divinylbenzene (DVB) in the poly(styrene/divinylbenzene) (PSDVB) starting polymer, percent total cross-linking, and polymer concentration. The most effective volatile organic compound (VOC) sorbent is formed when the FCMPS is synthesized at 100% “theoretical” cross-linking with chloromethyl methyl ether or chloromethyl ethyl ether using a lightly cross-linked starting PSDVB (
