Selective separation of germanium(IV) by 2,3-dihydroxypropyl chitosan resin

2,3-Dihydroxypropyl chitosan resin, prepared from chitosan and a 1,2-diol, adsorbed only germanium(IV) from aqueous solutions containing semimetals over the range of acidic to weakly basic media. The adsorption capacities of the chitosan resin were up to about 1.4 mmol g(-1). The selective separation of germanium(IV) from tellurium(VI) and boron was achieved with a column method using the chitosan resin. The breakthrough points of germanium(il) in the chitosan resin column were about 85 bed volumes in weakly basic media. The germanium(IV), adsorbed on the column, was quantitatively recovered by elution with hydrochloric acid. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.