Ion Exchange Resins and their Applications in Water Treatment and Pollutants Removal from Environment: A Review

Abstract

Ion exchange resin is a porous polymer with a high molecular weight. It has a few groups that can be exchanged into ions in the solution it comes into contact with. Ion exchange resins are available in different types and are widely employed in wastewater treatment. It removes unwanted ions from waste water, because it can exchange unwanted ions with its functional group. Until now, ions exchange mainly employed for the removal of different compounds from water, including dissolved organic matter and dissolved organic carbon, nitrate, copper, N-nitrosodimethylamine, fluoride, Nickel, boron, sulfamethazine, trihalomethanes (THMs) etc. In industry, various techniques are available for condensate water treatment, including flotation, membrane, sedimentation, coagulation, precipitation, chemical adsorption, filtration, catalytic oxidation, and electrochemical techniques. But existing techniques or processes are not feasible for water treatment in a confined place due to few advantages, including less efficiency in purification, being expensive, maintenance challenges, and high energy requirements. In contrast, ion exchange resins benefit from high separation selectivity, simple handling, and reusable resin.  Few resins are too much costly, but being they are reusable, it makes them sustainable and cost-effective. Significant research is being conducted worldwide to uncover the potential effects of ion exchange resins. This review discussed their use in environmental cleanup, water treatment, and operational feasibility with multiple factors.