| Abstract: | Porous polystyrene was prepared according to the following methods by variation of the production parameters: (A) Method based on the suspension polymerization using a nonsolvent of the polymer. (B) Method based on the dissolution of polystyrene in a solvent and then precipitation using a nonsolvent of the polymer. The molecular weight of the polymer, its structure using Hg-porosimetry, and the microscopic pattern of the polymer grains were determined. The ability of the produced polystyrene to discolour aqueous solutions of different dyes (mainly methylene blue) was also examined. From the correlation between porous structure and discolouring ability in comparison with corresponding discolouring examination of other adsorptive agents (activated carbon) the importance of the following parameters was found out and evaluated: (a) total value of pore volume or pore volume distribution, (b) intermediate part of pore distribution 10000 – 100 Å for the adsorption of the given dyes, (c) shape of pores, which are different in method A and B (the comparison of produced polystyrene by different production parameters should be done only by independent methods and not between A and B method). It also resulted that it is necessary to introduce appropriate groups into the molecules of the porous polystyrene in order to increase the adsorption rate of an ionic or a polar substance. In conclusion, by appropriate choice of the production parameters of porous polystyrene a product with the desired characteristics of porosity could be produced. |
