Some investigations on the radiation stability of a strongly acidic cation exchange resin

The radiation-chemical stability of Merck Cation Exchanger I, a strongly acidic sulphonated cation exchanger of the polymerization type based on styrene-divinylbenze (DVB) copolymers was investigated. The radiation stability of the resin was assessed from the change in exchange capacity, loss in weight, change in swelling behaviour and formation of new exchange groups. The loss in capacity was 44 and 32% for resin specimens in the H+-form irradiated to 1000 Mrad in air and in vacuum, respectively. The Na+-form of the exchanger showed high resistance to radiation and the loss in capacity did not exceed 7% at a dose of 1000 Mrad. The loss in capacity was accompanied by a loss in weight and a decrease in the degree of swelling of the irradiated resin. The formation of new functional groups of the carboxylic and phenolic types was confirmed. The amount of these group increases with the increase in the integral dose. The amount of sulphuric acid formed as a result of irradiating the resin in the dry and moist states was determined. An increase in the moisture content of the resin resulted in a marked decrease in its radiation stability. (author)