Structure and Ion Exchange Behavior of Zirconium Antimonates for Strontium

Abstract

Zirconium antimonates with initial Sb:Zr mole ratios of 1.0, 1.5, 4.0, and 9.0 were synthesized by co-precipitation to remove strontium ions from acidic solutions. The characterization of materials was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy-Energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), X-ray fluoresence (XRF), and zeta potential analyses. Ion exchange studies of the synthesized materials towards strontium were conducted as a function of contact time and initial pH. Preliminary results reveal that as the antimony ratio increases the surface of the materials become more acidic and thus, strontium exchange is more favorable in a pH range of 2-6.

Keywords:

• adsorption
• antimony
• co-precipitation
• strontium
• zirconium