Effect of pH on the uptake of arsenate and vanadate by hydrotalcites in alkaline solutions: a Raman spectroscopic study

Hydrotalcites have been synthesised using solutions of three different pH values to assess the effect of pH on the uptake of arsenate and vanadate. The ability of these hydrotalcites to remove vanadate and arsenate from solution has been determined by inductively coupled optical emission spectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy was used to monitor changes in the anionic species for hydrotalcites synthesised at different pH values. The results show a reduction in the concentration of arsenate and vanadate anions that are removed in extremely alkaline solutions. Hydrotalcites containing arsenate and vanadate are stable in solutions up to pH 10. Exposure of these hydrotalcites to higher pH values results in the removal of large percentages of arsenate and vanadate from the hydrotalcite interlayer. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.