Snake-cage polyelectrolytes

The process described is referred to as ion-exclusion as discussed by Asher and Simpson 9. The resins used are normal and the non-ionic molecules are assumed to be small enough to enter the pores. When large non-ionic molecules are involved, an alternative process called ion-retardation may be used, as discussed by Hatch et al. W]. This requires a special resin of an amphoteric type known as a snake cage poly electrolyte. The polyelectrolyte consists of a cross-linked polymer physically entrapping a tangle of linear polymers. For example, an anion exchange resin which is soaked in acrylic acid becomes entrapped when the acrylic acid is polymerised. The intricacy of the interweaving is such that counter-ions cannot be easily displaced by other counter-ions. On the other hand, ionic mobility within the resin maintains the electro-neutrality. The ionic molecule as a... 

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