Polymer Supported Humic Acid for Separation and Preconcentration of Thorium(IV)

Abstract

The resin impregnating humic acid (HA) onto XAD‐4 has been prepared to investigate adsorption behaviour of Th(IV). The characterization of the resulting resin has been carried out by infrared spectral data and sorption capacity. Maximum adsorption capacity of Th(IV) on the resin is found to be 1.51 × 10⁻⁴ mol g⁻¹ at pH 4. The sorbent was found to possess a high selectivity for Th(IV) with an optimum extraction pH around 3–7. Recoveries for Th(IV) determined prior to breakthrough were found to be quantitative (96–99%). The resin exhibits good chemical stability, reuseability, and a faster rate of equilibration for Th(IV) determination. The influence of several ions as interferents is discussed. The method has been successfully applied for the separation of Th(IV) in synthetic mixtures.

Keywords:

• Humic acid
• Thorium(IV)
• Preconcentration
• Impregnated resin
• Separation