What are Ion-Exchange Resins?
Definitions
Ion-exchange resins are synthetic polymers capable of combining or exchanging ions in a surrounding solution and are used primarily for deionizing water or for chromatography of organic molecules.
Most resins are based on styrene copolymerized with Divinylbenzene. Conventional ion exchange resins include a range of anion (chloromethylated, aminated) and cation resins (sulfonated) for multi-bed demineralization, mixed-bed condensate polishing, as well as nuclear and other specialty applications.
Styrene/DVB structures are the preferred matrices for ion exchange resins because they offer significant capacity and stability over other resin structures. Vinylbenzyl chloride has been copolymerized with styrene and Divinylbenzene in the synthesis of anion exchange resins. Replacement of the benzylic chloride with an amine avoids the chloromethylation step used in conventional resins.