Synthesis and Characterization of Zirconium Aluminophosphate. A New Cation Exchanger

A new inorganic ion exchange sorbent, zirconium aluminophosphate, has been prepared with Na⁺ ion exchange capacity (iec) equal to 2.10 mequiv/dry g. Its X-ray diffraction studies suggest that it is amorphous in nature. Its characterization has also been done by IR, TGA, and DSC so as to identify various functional groups and ion exchange sites present in the material. Further, various ion exchange studies such as determination of iec, elution behavior, pH titration, and distribution behavior have been performed on this material. Distribution coefficients for some heavy metal ions have also been determined to explore its separation potential. This material shows a high selectivity for Pb(II). On this basis some possible binary separations may be Pb(II)−Cd(II) and Pb(II)−Mg(II) on a column of this material.