Indian Journal of Chemical Technology, Vol.20, No.6, 385-391, 2013
Characterization of modified polypropylene powder (Accurel) and its use for adsorption of phenolics from aqueous solution
The polypropylene based Accurel has been modified using surfactant and then characterized for selective adsorption of phenolics. The pore distribution falls between macroporous and mesoporous domains. The SEM images of Accurel reveal that it has porous structure of typically 73% void volume with cells of 5-10 mu m connected by pores of 0.0028 mu m diameter. The BET surface area of the Accurel is typically found as 27 m(2)/g. The titled adsorbate-sorbent system follows L2 type of adsorption. The adsorption of studied phenolic acids depends on several factors, such as pK(a), ionic strength, and steric effect (molecular size). The adsorption coefficients for the studied phenolics follow the sequence: chlorogenic acid > p-cumaric acid > syringic acid > p-hydroxy benzoic acid. The adsorption capacity of phenolics grows with increase in OH groups in the structure of the acids. The amount of adsorbed phenolics increases with increasing ionic strength and obeys the sequence: Cl-