Can MCM-41 (mesoporous materials) be used for ion exchange?
Ion-exchange resins need to have charged groups that can bind your ions of interest. If a certain ion-exchanger will work for your problem depends on what kind of ions you want you to exchange or separate. The pores must be larger than your molecules of interest. E.g. polystyrene resins which are fine for water desalination (to remove e.g. calcium and magnesium ions) won't work well for separating proteins, as their pores are too small for biomolecules to enter the beads.