PREPARATION OF ION-EXCHANGERS FROM BAGASSE BY CROSS-LINKING WITH EPICHLOROHYDRIN-NH4OH OR EPICHLOROHYDRIN-IMIDAZOLE

Sugar cane bagasse was crosslinked with epichlorohydrin in the presenc e of NH4OH or imidazole. The obtained water-insoluble products were ch aracterized in terms of yield, anion-exchange capacity, packed volume, and dye-binding properties. Yields were highest using a 3 : 1 epichlo rohydrin to NH4OH molar ratio, producing weak anion exchangers. The we ak anion exchangers had low dye-binding capacities compared to their t otal anion-exchange capacities. A 2 : 1 epichlorohydrin-to-imidazole m olar ratio proved best for making strong anion exchangers from bagasse . The strong anion exchangers had dye-binding capacities comparable to their anion-exchange capacities, indicating that they might be useful for removing anionic dyes from wastewater. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons , Inc.