A Comparative Study of the Synthesis and Ion Exchange Properties of Iodophosphates of Tin(IV), Zirconium(IV) and Iron(III): Separations of Metal Ions on Tin(IV)-iodophosphate Columns

Abstract

Iodates and iodophosphates of tin(IV), zirconium(IV) and iron(III) have been synthesized under varying conditions and studied their ion exchange behaviour. Among the various ion exchangers synthesized, tin(IV)-iodophosphate is chosen for detailed study owing to its highest ion exchange capacity and highest chemical stability. The most stable sample is prepared by mixing 0.1M stannic chloride, 0.1M potassium iodate and 0.1M potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate solutions in the volume ratio 1:1:2 respectively at pH 0–1. It is a monofunctional weak cation exchanger. Its ion exchange capacity for K⁺ is 1.6 meq/dry g. The thermal and chemical stabilities of this material have been determined and compared with Zr(IV)-phosphoiodate. Effect of heating on the properties of tin(IV)-iodophosphate has been determined. To explore the separation potential of tin(IV)-iodophosphate Kd values of different metal ions have been determined in organic solvents. A number of important separations of metal ions of industrial utility have been successfully achieved on the columns of tin(IV)-iodophosphate.