Mechanism of removing chlorophenolic compounds from solution by a water-insoluble cationic starch

The removal of three chlorophenolic compounds from solutions using highly crosslinked cationic starch containing a tertiary amine group was investigated. The three chlorophenolic compounds were 2-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol. The adsorption process predominated over the initial pH = 2∼6 for 2-chlorophenol, and predominated over the initial pH = 2 to 4 range for 2,4-dichlorophenol and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol. The ion-exchange process predominated at initial pH = 12 for 2-chlorophenol, and predominated over the initial pH = 10 to 12 range for 2,4-dichlorophenol and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol. Both processes coexist over the initial pH=8 to 10 range for 2-chlorophenol, and coexist over the initial pH = 6∼8 for 2,4-dichlorophenol and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol. Experimental results indicate that the adsorption process is initially pH-independent, and the ion-exchange process is initially pH-dependent. The adsorption and ion-exchange processes are concentration-dependent and correspond to the Langmuir isothermal adsorption. They are endothermic for 2-chlorophenol and 2,4-chlorophenol, and are exothermic for 2,4,6-chlorophenol. The ion-exchange capacity is larger than the adsorption capacity. Moreover, the order of the amount of three chlorophenolic compounds removed by the cationic starch is 2,4,6-chlorophenol > 2,4-dichlorophenol > 2-chlorophenol.