Adsorption of Nonionic Surfactants on Chemically Modified Styrene-Divinylbenzene Copolymers

Abstract

Two series of resins with both polar and nonpolar regions were synthesized by the introduction of α-oxoalkyl and α-hydroxyalkyl groups to a porous low cross-linked styrene-divinylbenzene (7.5% divinylbenzene). These resins showed higher adsorption capacity for polyoxyethylene-type nonionic surfactants than did the starting resin. Resins with shorter alkyl chains are particularly more effective than those with longer chains. It is suggested that the polar groups on the modified resins contribute to the increase in adsorption of the surfactants.