Preparation and Characterization of a Novel Strong-Base Anion Exchange Fiber

A novel strong-base anion exchange fiber (QAPAN) was prepared in this study by preamination of a commercial poly(acrylonitrile) fiber followed by its subsequent grafting of glycidyl trimethylammonium chloride (GTA). The grafting conditions were optimized by conducting a L-18(3(7)) orthogonal test; and properties of the prepared QAPAN were investigated by multiple analyses. Results showed that the optimal reaction conditions were GTA dosage 4 mL, temperature 60 degrees C, reaction time 6 h, and volume ratio of water to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) 0.5 : 0.5, among which volume ratio of water to DMSO was deemed as the most important factor on the QAPAN preparation. The prepared QAPAN had excellent fibrous morphology and fine mechanical stability, making its further processing feasible. Acid-base titration tests showed that the QAPAN had a total exchange capacity (TEC) of 6.34 mmol/g and a strong base capacity (SBC) of 1.34 mmol/g. Analyses of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy further verified that the quaternary ammonium group was successfully grafted onto the QAPAN. This study provided a novel strong-base anion exchange fiber as well as a simple and repeatable method for its preparation. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 128:934-940, 2013