INTERPHASE DISTRIBUTION OF BORIC ACID BETWEEN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS AND MODIFIED CELLULOSE

Regarding the need for processing of hydromineral raw materials, many researchers have an increased focus on core and applied problems of producing organic sorbents based on natural materials, in particular, different kinds of cellulose modified by mercerization methods (treatment with alkali solutions) and chemical change of functional groups. The research addresses the interfacial distribution of boric acid on a mercerized, then chemically modified crushed kernel of common apricot, Prunus armeniaca (apricot). It was found that the sorbent material has selective properties for boric acid, extracting it from the aqueous phase and concentrating H3BO3 in the solid phase of the sorbent (modified cellulose). On the basis of carried out elemental chemical and mass spectrometric analyzes, along with IR spectrum of sorbents, the structure of sorbents was identified, and a mechanism for the absorption of boric acid by the phase of modified cellulose (CM) was proposed.