Cation Exchange Chromatographic Separation of Scandium from Other Elements on Dowex 50W-X8

Abstract

Cation exchange chromatographic studies of scandium on Dowex 50W-X8 are reported. Mineral acids and their salts were tested as eluants. Their efficiency was evaluated in terms of the elution constant and the bed distribution coefficient as H₂SO₄ > CH₃COONH₄ > NH₄Cl > NaCl > HNO₃ > HCl > NH₄NO₃.

Scandium was separated from alkali, alkaline earths, iron, zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, indium, aluminum, vanadium, uranium, and bismuth by the process of selective elution. It was separated from titanium, zirconium, hafnium, and antimony by the process of selective sorption. Separation of cobalt, nickel, manganese, lead, and silver from scandium was accomplished with sodium chloride as an eluant. The separation from thorium was carried out by gradient elution with hydrochloric acid.