Influence of synthesis conditions and raw materials on the properties of N‐chlorosulfonamides immobilized on granular styrene–divinylbenzene polymer carriers

Abstract

Polymer materials with immobilized functional groups–donors of active chlorine are widely used to create products with a microbiocidal effect and increased resistance to microbial contamination. In this work, various methods for the synthesis of granular styrene–divinylbenzene polymers with N‐chlorosulfonamide groups were investigated. It has been shown that the synthesis of polymers with chlorine‐active SO2NNaCl groups from a non‐functionalized styrene–divinylbenzene polymer matrix through the stage of its sulfochlorination with chlorosulfonic acid in dichloromethane for 6–7 h is optimal. These products contain approximately 11% of active chlorine and maintain a stable particle size distribution. When cation exchangers such as Purolite C100 are used as the initial polymer carrier, the content of chlorine‐active groups in the target product is approximately 9%, and an increase in the content of the dust fraction is observed. The obtained samples, regardless of the synthesis method, are capable of releasing active chlorine into solutions containing amino compounds. The microbial impurities in water also cause the emission of active chlorine in an amount that does not depend on the loading of the polymer, but is determined by the concentration of microbes, due to which a pronounced antimicrobial effect is observed. In this case, the resulting products do not cause further decomposition of the functional groups of the polymer, which indicates the high service life of the latter. The availability of raw materials, relative ease of synthesis, stability, possibility of regeneration and microbiocidal properties of the studied polymers make them promising for use as components of water and air purification systems and other products for medical and industrial purposes. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.