TITLE:
Synthesis of Poly(APP-co-EGDMA) Particles Using Monomers Derived from Cashew Nut Shell Liquid for the Removal of Cr(III) from Aqueous Solutions
AUTHORS:
Joseph Wilson, Joseph Yoeza Naimani Philip, James Epiphan Gabriel Mdoe
KEYWORDS:
Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL); Amino Pentadecylphenols (APP); Poly(APP-co-EGDMA)
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Organic Polymer Materials,
Vol.4 No.1,
December
27,
2013
ABSTRACT: This work was
aimed at synthesizing Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) based polymer particles
for adsorption of Cr(III) ions from aqueous solutions. Natural CNSL was used as
a starting material in synthesizing amino pentadecylphenols (APP). This was
achieved through isolating anacardic acid from the CNSL via calcium anacardate
procedure, followed by hydrogenation of the alkenyl side chains, and
subsequently decarboxylating the product to form 3-pentadecylphenol, which was
then nitrated and reduced to a mixture of APP. APP were co-polymerized with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate
(EGDMA) to form poly(APP-co-EGDMA)
particles. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed
by Fourier Transform IR and 1H-NMR. The co-polymer particles were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy
(SEM) to establish their morphological properties. The prepared co-polymer
particles were found to have-NH loading of 46 mmol/g and a maximum adsorption
capacity for Cr(III) ions of 16 mg per g of dry polymer particles. The spent
polymer particles were recoverable and reusable.