Adsorption of cationic and anionic surfactants onto organic polymer resin Lewatit VPOC 1064 MD PH.

The adsorption of a cationic (CTAB, cetyl trimethylammonium bromide) and an anionic surfactant (SLES, sodium dodecylethersulfate) from aqueous solution onto organic polymer resin (Lewatit VPOC 1064 MD PH) was studied. A series of batch experiments were performed to determine the sorption isotherms of surfactants to organic polymer resin. The experimental studies were analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Furthermore, the isotherm parameters, average percentage errors (epsilon) of model data, and separation factor (R (L)) were calculated. Other factors influencing the adsorption capacity (contact time, adsorbent amount, and initial surfactant concentration) were also discussed. The experimental data fitted very well to the Langmuir equilibrium model in the studied concentration range. The calculated R (L) values showed that the adsorption of both surfactants were favorable. Among the surfactants, CTAB showed higher adsorption capacity onto organic polymer resin compared to SLES (Q (0) = 250 and 34.36 mg g(-1), respectively).