PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF STARCH METHYLENEBISACRYLAMIDE DIMETHYLAMINOETHYL METHACRYLATE ANION-EXCHANGE COMPOSITE

Starch/methylenebisacrylamide/dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate anion exchange composite was prepared by polymerizing aqueous mixture of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) / methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) in presence of starch using ammonium peroxydisulphate/sodium thiosulphate redox system. The effects of the concentrations of each of ammonium peroxydisulphate, sodium thiosulphate, MBA and DMAEMA as well as the polymerization temperature on the synthesis were investigated. Polymerization conditions were chosen to prepare an anion exchange composite having amino and MBA-nitrogen contents of 145 and 72 meq/100 g, respectively. Potentiometric titration showed that this composite is a weak base anion exchanger of a pK(b) of 7. Water solubility and swellability as well as durability of this composite were investigated.