Synthesis of cation exchange material from polystyrene waste by homogeneous sulfonation reaction for the removal of Cr3+ from aqueous solution

Abstract

Polystyrene waste from disposable cups and plates was dissolved in cyclohexane and denatured by sulfuric acid to synthesise cation exchange materials which were applied to remove Cr³⁺ in water. In this study, cyclohexane was used at 60o C to prevent phase separation. The spectrum of the modified materials was calculated by the FTIR technique, and the existence of the additional sulfonic groups in the structure of plastic waste after sulfonation was proved. The results showed that total ion exchange capacity of the modified material was affected by the experimental conditions (temperature, modification time, etc). Total ion exchange capacity of materials synthesised by this method in the optimal conditions was 40.85 mg/g for chromium. Polystyrene waste after modification process had characteristics of ion exchange materials and showed the potential to remove Cr³⁺ in water.