Copper Rich Composite Materials Based on Carboxylic Cation Exchangers and Their Thermal Transformation

Abstract

The effect of a cupric deposit (Cu2+, CuO) on the thermal decomposition of carboxylic cation exchangers (CCEs) is not known, and such studies may have practical significance. CCEs have a very high ion exchange capacity, so an exceptionally large amount of CuO (which is a catalyst) can be precipitated inside them. Two CCEs, macroreticular (Amberlite IRC50) and gel-like (Amberlite IRC86), served as a polymeric support to obtain copper-rich hybrid ion exchangers. Composites with CuO particles inside a polyacrylic matrix (up to 35.0 wt% Cu) were obtained. Thermal analyses under air and under N2 were performed for CCEs in the H+ and Cu2+ form with and without a CuO deposit. The results of sixteen experiments are discussed based on the TG/DTG curves and XRD patterns of the solid residues. Under air, the cupric deposit shifted the particular transformations and the ultimate polymeric matter decomposition (combustion) toward lower temperatures (even about 100–150 °C). Under N2, the reduction of the cupric deposit to metallic copper took place. Unique composite materials enriched in carbonaceous matter were obtained, as the products of polymeric matrix decomposition (free radicals and hydrogen) created an additional amount of carbon char due to the utilization of a certain amount of hydrogen to reduce Cu (II) to Cu0.

Multifunctional Composite Materials Based on Anion Exchangers Modified with Copper Compounds—A Review of Their Synthesis Methods, Characteristics and Applications

“…The moist samples M/CuCl 2− 4 and G/CuCl 2− 4 coming from the transformation of the starting anion exchangers (M and G) [65,66] were intermediate products, which underwent various transformations. The peculiar affinity of the CuCl 2− 4 ion towards the anion exchanger functional groups (strong bonding in a concentrated chloride solution and its absence in a dilute solution) was exploited to deposit various copper species in their matrix (17):…”

“…That's why, it is worth making an effort to incorporate copper-containing particles within the polymeric matrix of ion exchangers. Precipitation of such particles into the cation exchanger matrix is relatively a simple process [16,17], whereas into the anion exchanger matrix is challenging, because the positively changed functional groups of anion exchanger show no affinity for cupric cation. In general, hybrid Cu-based heterogeneous nanostructures have novel synergistic properties arising from the integrated interaction between the disparate components, and are the subject of much current interest.…”