Anion exchange resin (AER) is often used to produce ultrapure
water
by removing low-molecular-weight (LMW) carboxylic acids (CAs). However,
the adsorption performance of resins requires improvement, and the
adsorption mechanisms are not fully clear. In this study, eight AERs
with different polymer matrices, porosity types, and ammonium group
properties were used to investigate the adsorption of common LMW CAs.
The adsorption efficiency of strongly basic AERs (80–100%)
was much higher than that of weekly basic AERs (2–56%). The
adsorption kinetics were limited by intraparticle diffusion. In particular,
for CAs with a molecular volume of > 83.5 Å, the gellular
AERs
showed an obvious size exclusion effect that was not as apparent for
the macroporous AERs. The adsorption capacity and affinity were highly
related to the polymer matrix. The polystyrene AERs showed 1.60–3.00
times higher maximum adsorption and 2.00–3.80 times greater
adsorption affinity than their polyacrylic counterparts. Adsorption
also depended on the CA structure. The carbon and carboxyl number
of the CA affect the total negative atomic charge density, which in
turn affects the CA–AER electrostatic interaction. Besides,
hydrogen bonds between the carboxyl group and the AER matrix increased
CA adsorption; this effect was especially prominent for diprotic CAs.