Synthesis of porous divinylbiphenyl copolymers and their sorptive properties towards phenol and its derivatives

Seven porous divinylbiphenyl polymers having the same nominal crosslinking degree (51.8 wt. %) have been synthesized using suspension polymerization method in the presence of the following inert diluents or their mixtures: toluene, heptane. dodecane, isooctane. The use of various inert diluents was aimed at changing the extent of polymeric network-diluent interactions. The obtained polymers have specific surface area in the range 50-300 m(2)/g depending on the type and amount of inert diluents used during polymerization. Their sorptive properties have been studied using dilute (0.5 mmol/l) aqueous Solutions of phenol and its derivatives (2-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, 2,6-dimethylphenol, 4-hydroxyphenol), It has been found that sorption, at low equilibrium concentration, follows the order: 2,4,5-trichlorophenol > 2.4-dichlorophenol > 2-chlorophenot > 2,6-dimethylphenol > phenol > 4-hydroxyphenol, Full characteristic of the porous structure of polymers has been obtained by nitrogen adsorption at 77K. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.