Ion-exchange resin

<p>An ion-exchange resin or ion-exchange polymer is a <a href="/facts/Resin/r1uVThQ8">resin</a> or <a href="/facts/Polymer/eF32E50K">polymer</a> that acts as a medium for <a href="/facts/Ion_exchange/C2DPoGqg">ion exchange</a>, that is also known as an ionex. It is an <a href="/facts/Solubility/kLE9h3Jb">insoluble</a> matrix (or support structure) normally in the form of small (0.25–1.43 mm radius) <a href="/facts/Microbead/eyrPQ0uU">microbeads</a>, usually white or yellowish, fabricated from an <a href="/facts/Organic_chemistry/djxhxaNg">organic</a> <a href="/facts/Polymer/eF32E50K">polymer</a> substrate. The beads are typically <a href="/facts/Porosity/UoyAJU8X">porous</a> (with a specific size distribution that will affect its properties), providing a large <a href="/facts/Surface_area/WNowzFCw">surface area</a> on and inside them where the trapping of <a href="/facts/Ion/wrbwhF3z">ions</a> occurs along with the accompanying release of other ions, and thus the process is called ion exchange. There are multiple types of ion-exchange resin, that differ in composition if the target is an anion or a cation and are created based on the task they are required for. Most commercial resins are made of <a href="/facts/Polystyrene_sulfonate/wfgeTdAh">polystyrene sulfonate</a> which is followed by <a href="/facts/Acrylate_polymer/3z6dXElL">polyacrylate</a>.
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<p>Ion-exchange resins are widely used in different <a href="/facts/Separation_process/8Ie5Lv5Y">separation</a>, purification, and decontamination processes. The most common examples are <a href="/facts/Water_softening/66wnC1ml">water softening</a> and <a href="/facts/Water_purification/rguCGW3q">water purification</a>. In many cases, ion-exchange resins were introduced in such processes as a more flexible alternative to the use of natural or artificial <a href="/facts/Zeolite/SNrXy4v2">zeolites</a>. Also, ion-exchange resins are highly effective for the filtration process of biodiesel.
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Ion-exchange resin open-in-new

Ion-exchange resin