Synthesis, Characterization and Application of a Novel Zirconium Phosphonate Ion-Exchanger for Removal of Ni2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ from Aqueous Solutions

A new category of hybrid organic-inorganic zirconium phosphonate, Zr[(O3PCH2)(2)NC6H4CO2H]center dot 2H(2)O was synthesized and the applicability of the prepared sorbent as an ion-exchanger for removal of Ni2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ from aqueous solutions was evaluated. The characterization of the synthesis product was done using TG-DTG, SEM, XRD, FT-IR techniques. Study of the sorption isotherms and its kinetic parameters was performed by atomic absorption spectroscopy and potentiometric techniques respectively. The adsorbent showed very high sorption rate and good adsorption capacity. Based on the high sorption rates, a typical ion exchange chromatography separation was performed using a column packed with the synthesized ion-exchanger and the results are discussed.