Nano-crystalline titanium(IV)tungstomolybdate cation exchanger: Synthesis, characterization and ion exchange properties

Abstract

Nano-titanium(IV)tungstomolybdate cation exchanger has been synthesized via homogenous precipitation approach. Synthesis parameters have been optimized to get the highest ion exchange capacity (IEC). The as-synthesized nanoexchanger has been fully characterized by XRD, TEM, STEM/HAADF/EDS, FTIR and BET. The titanium(IV)molybdophosphate (TMP) behaves as bifunctional and strong acid cation exchanger with IEC of 2.41 meq.g -1 for Na + ions. Very high distribution coefficient values for Pb 2+ (K d = 10767 mL.g -1 ) and Cr 3+ (K d = 11800 mL.g -1 ) ions indicate that the exchanger can be used to selectively adsorb Pb 2+ and Cr 3+ ions from the waste containing other metal ions. The exchanger has also showed a promising affinity towards a radionuclide UO 2 2+ (K d = 7043 mL.g -1 in 0.1 M DMSO). The distribution study of the exchanger in different solvent systems showed promising separation potential of the exchanger towards metal ions of analytical interest from a given mixture for toxic heavy metal ions.