An excellent arsenic(V) sorption behavior of p-tert-butylcalix[8]areneoctamide impregnated resin

The present article describes the arsenic(V) extraction behavior of p-tert-butylcalix[8]areneoctamide (3) and of a resin (4) impregnated with 3. Liquid–liquid and solid–liquid (column sorption) extraction studies were carried out to optimize various experimental parameters such as pH, extraction effeciency and column stability. Thermodynamic studies based upon Temkin and Flory-Hugins models reveal that the sorption was spontaneous and exothermic. The values of correlation coefficients (R2) show that Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models are best fit to describe the sorption equilibrium. Application of 4 to real samples indicates a slight decrease (5-7%) in extraction efficiency of 4 because of high concentration of total dissolved salts (TDS). It is deduced that 4 is highly effective for the removal of arsenic(V) at a wide range of pH and attains a maximum value, i.e. 99% at pH 4. The impregnated resin is easy to synthesize from cheap materials. It is more efficient and easily regenerable as compared to already reported resins.