Synthesis and studies on ion exchange behavior of newly developed composite materials and their applications

Abstract

In the last decade, ion-exchangers have been used extensively in the chemical decontamination process for metal ion recovery, regeneration of decontaminants, removal of the formulation chemicals from the coolant and aqueous effluents. Advancement of inorganic ion-exchangers is not only due to high thermal stability and resistivity but also for unusual selectivity for ionic species and versatility in separation sciences. Organic inorganic hybrid ion exchange materials are hi-tech because they can present simultaneously both the properties of an inorganic molecule besides the usual properties of polymer (an organic molecule). Nowadays, nanocomposites lead to unexpected new properties exhibiting a vast application potential which are often not exhibited by individual compounds and thus open a new avenue for chemists, physicists and materials scientists. The general class of nano composite organic/inorganic materials is a fast growing area of research. These hybrid materials are currently the objects of intensive research, because they combine in a single solid both the attractive properties of a mechanically and thermally stable inorganic backbone and the specific chemical reactivity and flexibility of the organo-functional group. The creation of organic/inorganic nano particle composites having unique physical properties has attracted intensive research recently. These combined properties of the hybrid nano structured materials with diverse applications attract great attention in the fields of material science heterogeneous catalysis separation science, and fuel cells.Industrial and mining waste water are the major source of pollution by heavy metals. Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic, copper, zinc and cadmium are highly toxic when adsorbed into the body. So every possible care should be taken to keep them isolated from getting mixed into the environment. For this purpose, various competent technologies including membrane process, precipitation, adsorption, electrosorption