Pyromellitic dianhydride‐modified β‐cyclodextrin microspheres for Pb(II) and Cd(II) adsorption

In this work, the pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA)‐grafted β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) microspheres have been prepared for the removal of lead and cadmium metal ions in aqueous solution by a batch‐equilibration technique. The effects of the pH of the solution, contact time, and initial metal concentration were studied. The adsorption capacities for the two metal ions increase significantly as a large number of carboxyl groups are present on the microspheres surface. The equilibrium process is better described by the Langmuir isotherm than the Freundlich isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacities are 135.69 and 92.85 mg g^?1 for Pb(II) and Cd(II), respectively. Kinetic studies show good correlation coefficients for a pseudosecond‐order kinetic model, confirming that the sorption rate is controlled by chemical adsorption. The regeneration of the adsorbent can be carried out by treating the loaded microspheres with 0.2 (mol L^?1) HCl obtaining high desorption rate for the two metal ions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Batch and fixed‐bed column adsorption of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solution onto functionalised SBA‐15 mesoporous silica

Functionalised SBA‐15 mesoporous silica with polyamidoamine groups (PAMAM‐SBA‐15) was successfully prepared with the structure characterised by X‐ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectra and thermogravimetric analysis. PAMAM‐SBA‐15 was applied as adsorbent for Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions removal from aqueous solution. The effects of the solution pH, adsorbent dosage and metal ion concentration were studied under the batch mode. The Langmuir model was fitted favourably to the experimental data. The maximum sorptive capacities were determined to be 1.74 mmol g^?1 for Cu(II), 1.16 mmol g^?1 for Pb(II) and 0.97 mmol g^?1 for Cd(II). The overall sorption process was fast and its kinetics was fitted well to a pseudo‐first‐order kinetic model. The mean free energy of sorption, calculated from the Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm, indicated that the sorption of lead and copper, with E > 16 kJ mol^?1, followed the sorption mechanism by particle diffusion. The adsorbent could be regenerated three times without significant varying its sorption capacity. A series of column tests were performed to determine the breakthrough curves with varying bed heights and flow rates. The breakthrough data gave a good fit to the Thomas model. Maximum sorption capacity of 1.6, 1.3 and 1.0 mmol g^?1 were found for Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II), respectively, at flow rate of 0.4 mL min^?1 and bed height of 8 cm, which corresponds to 83%, 75% and 73% of metallic ion removal, respectively, which very close to the value determined in the batch process. Bed depth service time model could describe the breakthrough data from the column experiments properly. © 2012 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering     

Sorption of cadmium and lead ions on modified groundnut (Arachis hypogea) husks

The removal of cadmium and lead ions from aqueous solutions by groundnut husks modified by reaction with EDTA (% N = 12.05) was examined by equilibrium sorption studies at 29°C. The maximum metal ion binding capacity of the EDTA-modified husk determined from the sorption isotherm from solutions of pH 6.8 was found to be 0.36 mmol g^?1 and 0.19 mmol g^?1 for Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions, respectively. It was found that the rate of sorption was particle-diffusion controlled, and the particle-diffusion control rate coefficient was determined to be of the order of 10^?2 min^?1.     

Hg(II) removal from HCl solutions using a tetraalkylphosphonium ionic liquid impregnated onto Amberlite XAD‐7

Extractant impregnated resins (EIRs) were prepared by impregnation of Amberlite XAD‐7 with tetraalkylphosphonium chloride ionic liquid (IL). The EIRs were tested for the sorption of Hg(II) in HCl solutions. Mercury is bound on the EIR through an ion exchange mechanism involving chloroanionic species and the IL. The effect of HCl concentration and IL content is studied and the sorption isotherms are obtained in 1 M HCl solutions: the sorption capacity linearly increases with IL loading up to 100 mg Hg L^?1. A little fraction of the IL immobilized on the resin (about 40 mg IL g^?1) is tightly bound to the polymer limiting its reactivity with metal ions. The uptake kinetics are mainly controlled by intraparticle diffusion. At high IL loading the kinetics are slowed down, while the temperature has a limited impact. Nitric acid can be used for desorbing mercury and recycling the EIR for at least five cycles. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41086.     

CYPHOS IL 101 (Tetradecyl(Trihexyl)Phosphonium Chloride) Immobilized in Biopolymer Capsules for Hg(II) Recovery from HCl Solutions

Abstract

A composite polymer (made of gelatin and alginate) was used for the synthesis of Cyphos IL 101-immobilized resins. These resins (with varying size and different ionic liquid (IL) content) have been tested for the recovery of mercury from concentrated HCl solutions (0.1–5 M HCl concentrations). Prior to the study of sorption performance on resins, the reactivity of Cyphos IL 101 versus mercury was tested using solvent extraction methodology. These results showed that the extraction was hardly affected by the concentration of HCl and that an ion exchange mechanism was probably involved in metal recovery (binding of HgCl₄ ^2-). The performance of these resins for Hg(II) recovery was tested through sorption isotherms and uptake kinetics, investigating the effect of resin size, ionic liquid content, metal concentration, agitation speed, and resin state (dry state versus wet state). Sorption capacity (which was proportional to the IL content) can reached up to 150 mg Hg g^?1 in 1 M HCl; this sorption capacity was decreased by increasing chloride concentration. The kinetics were described well by the pseudo-second order equation and by the intraparticle diffusion equation (the so-called Crank's equation). The intraparticle diffusion coefficient was in the range of 10^?11–1.2 × 10^?10 m² min^?1. The kinetic profiles were controlled by the IL content, sorbent dosage, and the sorbent particle size. Drying of the resins significantly decreased diffusion rates in the resins. The presence of competitor metals did not affect sorption capacity except when stable chloro-anionic species such as in the case of Zn(II) were formed. Mercury can be desorbed using 6 M nitric acid solutions; and the sorbent can be recycled for at least six sorption/desorption cycles without significant decrease in the sorption performance.     

Influence of salinity on lead and cadmium accumulation by the salt cedar (Tamarix smyrnensis Bunge)

BACKGROUND: The removal of heavy metals from polluted soils through the use of suitable plants has attracted much interest over recent decades. In this study Tamarix smyrnensis Bunge has been investigated for the characterization of its metal tolerance and ability to accumulate Pb and Cd, in order to evaluate its effectiveness as a cleanup tool for phytoextraction applications. For this purpose, two hydroponic experiments were performed, one with lead at concentration 100 ppm and a second with cadmium at concentration 5 ppm and at three different salt concentrations (0, 100, 200 mmol L^?1 NaCl). RESULTS: The experimental results showed that Pb and Cd accumulation in shoots ranged from 150–270 ppm and 7.5–42 ppm, respectively, and salinity was found to increase metal accumulation in shoots. However, the presence of high metal and salt concentrations affected negatively the health and finally the survival of the plants. CONCLUSION: T. smyrnensis is neither a Pb nor a Cd hyperaccumulator; however, metal accumulation levels in shoots considered together with its high biomass production suggest that it could be used for phytoextraction applications. Furthermore, salinity has a positive influence on Pb and Cd accumulation in harvestable parts of the plant when it remains in low concentrations. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation of sorption behavior of polymethylene-bis(2-hydroxybenzaldehyde) for Cu(II), Ni(II), Fe(III), Co(II) and Cd(II) ions

Poly[5,5??-methylene-bis(2-hydroxybenzaldehyde)1,2-phenylenediimine] resin was prepared and characterized by employing elemental, thermal analysis, FTIR, and UV?Cvisible spectroscopy. The metal uptake behavior of synthesized polymer towards Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Fe(III) and Cd(II) ions was investigated and optimized with respect to pH, shaking speed, and equilibration time. The sorption data of all these metal ions followed Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin?CRadushkevich isotherms. The Freundlich parameters were computed 1/n?=?0.31?±?0.02, 0.3091?±?0.02, 0.3201?±?0.05, 0.368?±?0.04, and 0.23?±?0.01, A?=?3.4?±?0.03, 4.31?±?0.02, 4.683?±?0.01, 5.43?±?0.03, and 2.8?±?0.05?mmol?g^?1 for Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Fe(III), and Cd(II) ions, respectively. The variation of sorption with temperature gives thermodynamic quantity (??H) in the range of 36.72?C53.21?kJ/mol. Using kinetic equations (Morris?CWeber and Lagergren equations), values of intraparticle transport and the first-order rate constant was computed for all the five metals ions. The sorption procedure is utilized to preconcentrate these ions prior to their determination by atomic absorption spectrometer. It was found that the adsorption capacity values for metal-ion intake followed the following order: Cd(II)?>?Co(II)?>?Fe(III)?>?Ni(II)?>?Cu(II).     

Synthesis,characterization, and application of a new chelating resin functionalized with dithiooxamide

Chloromethylated polystyrene‐divinylbenzene has been functionalized with dithiooxamide. The resulting chelating resin (DTOA) has been characterized by elemental analyses, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and metal ion sorption capacities. It has been used for the preconcentration and separation of Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) prior to their determination by FAAS. Parameters such as the amount of the resin, effect of pH, equilibration rate, sorption and desorption of metal ions, and effect of diverse ions have been studied. The maximum sorption capacities found are 0.97, 0.12, 0.08, and 0.12 mmol g^?1 for Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) at pH 6.0, 5.5, 1.0, and 5.5, respectively. The preconcentration factors are 100, 100, 50, and 50 for Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II), respectively. Recoveries of the metal ions were 96 ± 5, 97 ± 6, 96 ± 5, and 96 ± 5 at 95% confidence level, whereas the limits of detection are 2.0, 1.3, 2.5, and 25.0 μg L^?1 for Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II), respectively. The calibration curves were linear up to 12 μg mL^?1 (R² = 1.000), 2 μg mL^?1 (R² = 0.998), 2 μg ml^?1 (R² = 1.000), and 5 μg mL^?1 (R² = 0.979) for Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II), respectively. The reliability of the method has been tested by analyzing certified samples. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2281–2285, 2007     

Biosorption of heavy metals (Cd,Cu, Ni,Pb, Zn) by chemically-reinforced biomass of marine algae

Particles of two different sizes (0·105–0·295 mm and 0·84–1.00 mm diameter) of two marine algae, Sargassum fluitans and Ascophyllum nodosum, were crosslinked with formaldehyde (FA), glutaraldehyde (GA) or embedded in polyethylene imine (PEI), followed by glutaraldehyde crosslinking. They were used for equilibrium sorption uptake studies with cadmium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc. The metal uptake by larger particles (0·84–1·00 mm) was higher than that by smaller particles (0·105–0·295 mm). The order of adsorption for S. fluitans biomass particles was Pb > Cd > Cu > Ni > Zn, for A. nodosum copper and cadmium change places. Uptakes of metals range from q_max = 378 mg Pb g^?1 for S. fluitans (FA, big particles), to q_max = 89 mg Zn g^?1 for S. fluitans (FA, small particles) as the best sorption performance for each metal. Generally, S. fluitans is a better sorbent material for a given metal, size and modification, although there were several exceptions in which metal sorption by A. nodosum was higher. The metal uptake for different chemical modifications showed the order GA > FA > PEI. A comparison of different sorption models revealed that the Langmuir sorption model fitted the experimental data best.     

Adsorption characterization of lead(II) and cadmium(II) on crosslinked carboxymethyl starch

The adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions with crosslinked carboxymethyl starch (CCS) was investigated as function of the solution pH, contact time, initial metal‐ion concentration, and temperature. Isotherm studies revealed that the adsorption of metal ions onto CCS better followed the Langmuir isotherm and the Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm with adsorption maximum capacities of about 80.0 and 47.0 mg/g for Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions, respectively. The mean free energies of adsorption were found to be between 8 and 16 kJ/mol for Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions; this suggested that the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions onto CCS occurred with an ion‐exchange process. For two‐target heavy‐metal ion adsorption, a pseudo‐second‐order model and intraparticle diffusion seem significant in the rate‐controlling step, but the pseudo‐second‐order chemical reaction kinetics provide the best correlation for the experimental data. The enthalpy change for the process was found to be exothermic, and the ΔS^θ values were calculated to be negative for the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions onto CCS. Negative free enthalpy change values indicated that the adsorption process was feasible. The studies of the kinetics, isotherm, and thermodynamics indicated that the adsorption of CCS was more effective for Pb(II) ions than for Cd(II) ions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Polymer‐grafted banana (Musa paradisiaca) stalk as an adsorbent for the removal of lead(II) and cadmium(II) ions from aqueous solutions: kinetic and equilibrium studies

This study examined the effectiveness of a new adsorbent prepared from banana (Musa paradisiaca) stalk, one of the abundantly available lignocellulosic agrowastes, in removing Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent (PGBS‐COOH) having a carboxylate functional group at its chain end was synthesized by graft copolymerization of acrylamide on to banana stalk, followed by functionalization. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out as a function of solution pH, ionic strength, contact time, metal concentration, adsorbent dose and temperature. A pH range of 5.5–8.0 was found to be effective for the maximum removal for both Pb(II) and Cd(II). Metal uptake was found to decrease with increase in ionic strength due to the expansion of the diffuse double layer and, more importantly, the formation of some chloro complexes (since NaCl was used in the adjustment of ionic strength), which do not appear to be adsorbed to the same extent as cations [M²⁺ and M(OH)⁺]. The kinetic studies showed that an equilibrium time of 3 h was needed for the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) on PGBS‐COOH and adsorption processes followed a pseudo‐second‐order equation. The Langmuir isotherm model fitted the experimental equilibrium data well. The maximum sorption capacity for Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions was 185.34 and 65.88 mg g^?1, respectively, at 30 °C. The thermodynamic parameters such as changes in free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°) and entropy (ΔS°) were derived to predict the nature of adsorption. The isosteric heat of adsorption was found to be independent of surface coverage. Adsorption experiments were also conducted using a commercial cation exchanger, Ceralite IRC‐50, for comparison. Synthetic wastewater samples were treated with the adsorbent to demonstrate its efficiency in removing Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions from industrial wastewaters. Acid regeneration was tried for several cycles with a view to recovering the sorbed metal ions and also restoring the sorbent to its original state. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Facile preparation of EDTA‐functionalized chitosan magnetic adsorbent for removal of Pb(II)

A novel magnetic adsorbent (EDTA /chitosan/ PMMS) was facilely prepared by reacting chitosan with EDTA anhydride in presence of PEI ‐ coated magnetic microspheres. The as‐synthesized EDTA/ chitosan /PMMS was characterized by XRD, SEM, TGA, FT‐IR , and VSM, and then employed in removal of heavy metals of Pb(II) from aqueous solution. The results of the batch adsorption experiments revealed that the adsorbents had extremely high uptake capacities for Pb(II) in the pH range of 2 to 5.5, and the adsorption kinetics for EDTA/ chitosan /PMMS was consistent with the pseudo – second ‐ order kinetic model. Moreover, its equilibrium data were fitted with the Langmuir isothermal model well, which indicated that the adsorption mechanism was a homogeneous monolayer chemisorptions process. The maximum adsorption capacity of EDTA/ chitosan /PMMS for Pb(II) was found to be 210 mg g ^{? 1} at pH 4 (30 ° C), and further reuse experiments results suggested that EDTA /chitosan/ PMMS could be a potential recyclable magnetic adsorbent in the practical wastewater treatment. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42384.     

Binary component sorption of Cu(II) and Pb(II) with activated carbon from Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn bark

The objective of this work is to illustrate the potential in the use of activated carbon in the binary component sorption of copper and lead ions. Eucalyptus bark was used as a precursor for the activated carbon which was prepared through the phosphoric acid activation process. This activated carbon was then used for the sorption of copper and lead ions. The quantity of the metal ions in the solution was measured with the Flame & Graphite Furnace Atomic Adsorption Spectrophotometer. The results indicated that the optimal pH for sorption was 5. The maximum sorption capacities for Cu(II) and Pb(II) were 0.45 and 0.53 mmol g⁻¹. Carboxylic, amine and amide groups were found to involve in the sorptions of Cu(II) and Pb(II). A major mechanism for the uptake of both heavy metals was proven not to be ion exchange but adsorption. In binary component sorptions, activated carbon still could sorb Pb(II) in a greater amount than Cu(II). However, the presence of the secondary metal ions suppressed the sorption of the primary metal ions. There seemed to have a linear inverse dependency between the sorption capacity and the concentration of the secondary metal ion.     

Dehydrated Carbon Fiber for the Recovery of Pd(II) and Pt(II) From Chloride Aqueous Solution

Cellulose fiber was separated from date palm leaflets and was carbonized by dehydration using dilute sulfuric acid at 150°C. Produced dehydrated carbon fiber (DCF) was tested for the sorption of Pd(II) and Pt(II) at different pH, contact time, metal concentration, and temperature. With the rise in pH, sorption was found to increase for Pd(II) but decreases for Pt(II). The optimum pH ranges of 1-3 for Pt(II) and 3-3.5 for Pd(II). Approximate equilibrium was obtained within 50 hr for both metals with sorption data fitting the pseudo second order model well. Activation energy, Ea, was found to be higher than 40 kJ/mol for the sorption of both metals, indicating the involvement of chemical processes in metal sorption. The Langmuir isotherm was found to fit the sorption data more than other isotherms. Thermodynamic parameters were calculated and showed an involvement of chemical processes in metal sorption with stronger interaction for the carbon with Pb(II) than with Pt(II). Both of Pd(II) and Pt(II) were reduced to their respective elemental forms on the surface of the fiber as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction.     

Tetraalkylphosphonium Ionic Liquid Encapsulation in Alginate Beads for Cd(II) Sorption from HCl Solutions

Cyphos IL 105 (tetraalkylphosphonium dicyanamide) was immobilized in alginate capsules (IL vesicle entrapped in a biopolymer layer, as shown by SEM-EDX analysis). This material was tested for efficient Cd(II) sorption from HCl solutions. The concentration of HCl and chloride ions hardly influenced metal sorption that proceeds through ion exchange between Cd(II) (under the form of CdCl₄^2?) and 2 dicyanamide groups. The sorption capacity (at saturation of the resin) proportionally increased with IL content (respecting the 1:2 stoichiometry between Cd(II) and the phosphonium cation). The uptake kinetics are well described by the Crank’s equation (resistance to intraparticle diffusion) and by the pseudo-second order rate equation (chemical reaction rate).     

Characterization of a chelating resin functionalized via azo spacer and its analytical applicability for the determination of trace metal ions in real matrices

A selective flame atomic absorption spectrometric method has been developed for the determination of trace amount of metal ions after preconcentration on salicylic acid (SA) loaded Amberlite XAD‐4 resin (AXAD‐4) at suitable pH. The chelating resin AXAD‐4‐SA was characterized based on FTIR, thermal and chemical stability, and hydrogen ion capacity. The sorption capacity was found to be 245.0, 156.2, 155.0, 145.0, 125.0, 122.5, and 70 μmol g^?1 for Cu(II), Cr(III), Zn(II), Cd(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), and Co(II), respectively with t_1/2 <15 min. All the metals could be eluted by 5 mL of 4 mol L^?1 HCl/HNO₃ resulting in high preconcentration factor of 200–360 up to a low preconcentration limit of 5.5–10 μg L^?1. The accuracy and precision of the developed method was checked by analyzing standard reference materials. The experimental values were not statistically significant from the certified values with <5% RSD. The detection limits were found to be 0.42, 0.57, 0.63, 0.77, 0.94, 0.96, and 1.41 μg L^?1, respectively. The analytical utility of the AXAD‐4‐SA for preconcentration and determination of metal ions was explored by analyzing river, canal, sewage, and tap water by direct as well as standard addition method. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Biosorption of Pb(II) and Ni(II) ions by chemically modified Eclipta alba stem powder: Kinetics and equilibrium studies

Biosorption of Pb(II) and Ni(II) ions onto the Eclipta alba stem powder (EAS) was investigated in a batch system. The biosorbent was characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and elemental analysis. Adsorption influencing factors like pH, adsorbent dose, initial metal ion concentration and contact time were investigated. The adsorption mechanism of Pb(II) and Ni(II) followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R² > 0.998). The Langmuir isotherm model fitted well and the maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of the sorbent for Pb(II) and Ni(II) was found to be 66.2 ± 1.9 mg g^?1and 62.5 ± 1.8 mg g^?1, respectively. Desorption and recovery were carried out using dilute HCl solution.     

Agaricus macrosporus as a potential bioremediation agent for substrates contaminated with heavy metals

This study investigated the potential use of the mushroom Agaricus macrosporus for bioextraction of heavy metals from contaminated substrates. Mushrooms were grown (1) in a non‐contaminated control substrate, (2) in a substrate with added Cd (10 mg per kg dw), and (3) in a multi‐contaminated substrate (Cd, Hg and Pb each at 10 mg kg^?1; Cu and Zn each at 20 mg kg^?1). Metal contents were determined in fruiting bodies by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). In the control substrate, three production waves (‘breaks’) were obtained, compared with only two in the contaminated substrates; however, total biomass in the Cd‐contaminated substrate was similar to that in the control substrate, and only 40% lower (ie still considerable) in the Hg‐containing multi‐contaminated substrate. Within each break, metal contents were higher in young than in adult individuals. Metal contents were also higher in the hymenophore than in other parts of the fruiting body. The metal content data indicate that A macrosporus effectively extracted Cd, Hg and Cu (though not Pb) from the contaminated substrates. Of particular interest is the tolerance and extraction of Hg, in contrast with plants. These results suggest that fungi such as A macrosporus may be effective for bioremediation of metal‐contaminated substrates, though bearing in mind that in many contaminated environments cultivation of mushrooms of this type may be difficult. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Selective Separation of Uranium using Alizarin Red S (ARS)-Modified Anion-Exchange Resin or by Flotation of U-ARS Chelate

ABSTRACT

An alizarin red S (ARS)-modified anion-exchange resin was prepared by a simple reaction of ARS with the anion exchanger Doulite A101 and used for the efficient sorption of uranium from aqueous media. The effect of various parameters on the sorption of U(VI) (pH effect, sorption kinetics, resin capacity and breakthrough curves) was investigated. The modified resin sorbs U(VI) over a wide range of pH (2·8–5) with a maximum sorption capacity of 0·68 mmol.g^?1 at pH 3·2 to 4·0. Iron (III), Zr(IV), Ti(IV), Cu(II), and Th(IV) ions are also sorbed to different extents, but Be(II), Bi(III), Ca(II), Mg(II), Pb(II), Hg(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), AI(III), Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) are not sorbed; thus, conditions for separating U(VI) from these metal ions have been identified. For eluting U(VI) from the resin, 0·2 mol.L^?1 HCl was used and the recovery recorded was as high as 99.9%. The use of ARS is extended to float uranium quantitatively and selectively from aqueous media at pH = 4 by using oleic acid as a surfactant. The different parameters affecting the flotation process have also been investigated. Uranium(VI) has been effectively separated from natural water samples and certified uranium ores using both procedures.     

Gold Recovery from HCl Solutions using Cyphos IL‐101 (a Quaternary Phosphonium Ionic Liquid) Immobilized in Biopolymer Capsules

Tetraalkyl phosphonium chloride (Cyphos IL‐101), an ionic liquid (IL), was tested for gold recovery from HCl solutions: first in liquid/liquid extraction systems (using toluene and hexane as solvent) and in a second step, after being immobilized in a biopolymer composite matrix. SEM‐EDAX analysis was used for the characterization of the resins. The sorption capacity reached up to 140 mg Au(III) g^?1 in 1 M HCl solutions. Base metals that do not form anionic chlorocomplexes and nitrate or chloride ions (at 5 g L^?1) did not interfere with Au(III) binding. Gold binding probably occurs through the interaction of R₃R'P⁺ with AuCl₄ ^?. The kinetics of sorption was carried out varying agitation speed, metal concentration, IL content, and resin drying. Intraparticle diffusion played an important role on the control of sorption kinetics. Gold could be desorbed from the loaded IL‐impregnated resin using thiourea (in HCl solutions). The resin could be re‐used for at least 4 cycles. The resins are specially adapted for the recovery of gold from low metal concentrations.