Zirconium vanadophosphate as an inorganic ion exchanger

Zirconium vanadophosphate was characterized as a stable inorganic ion exchager. The ion-exchange capacity was measured as 1.75 meq. H⁺ g^?1 at room temperature and it is stable up to 300°C. The exchanger is selective for devalent cations and the order of sorption of cations was found to be M²⁺ > M⁺ > M³⁺ M⁴⁺. Separations of Co²⁺?Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺?Hg²⁺ and Cr(VI)?Cr³⁺ were achieved on a column containing the ion exchanger. Copper could be separated from other base metals in geochemical samples. Differential thermal analysis showed an endothermic peak in the range of 65–420°C due to the dehydration of the ion exchanger with a low activation energy of 7.79 kcal mol^?1, which follows first-order kinetics. The ion exchanger did not show any further decomposition up to 1000°C. Infrared studies confirmed the presence of

groups which act as exchange sites for the cations. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the compound is crystalline, with a crystal structure resembling that of the mineral muscovite.