Radiotracer studies for the uptake of silver from aqueous solution by TODGA-impregnated silica gel

Abstract

A radiotracer technique has been used to achieve the separation of micro quantities of Ag(I) from nitric acid solution using a chromatographic column packed with TODGA-impregnated silica gel. Adsorption of spiked silver on such a column was studied at different acid concentrations and different temperatures. Effects of diverse ions in the adsorption process were also studied. The sorption is adequately described by the classical Freundlich adsorption isotherm over the concentration range from 4 × 10 -4 to 60 × 10 -4 M.

The State of Critical and Strategic Metals Recovery and the Role of Nuclear Techniques in the Separation Technologies Development: Review

“…Likewise, a chromatographic column filled with TODGA-impregnated silica gel can be applied in separating trace concentrations of Ag + from the HNO 3 media utilizing a 110m Ag radiotracer [163]. Ag has been highly consumed in society due to its valued characteristics.…”

“…As a result, it is critical to create a sensitive and specific approach for determining and separating Ag. At various temperatures and acid concentrations, the adsorption of Ag on such a column was investigated [163]. The highest adsorption was seen at 10 -7 M of HNO 3 acid, using the 110m Ag radiotracer at neutral pH to analyze the Ag + adsorption in relation to the concentration of HNO 3 .…”

“…However, when the solution concentration was reduced from 6 × 10 -4 to 4 × 10 -4 M, the percentage of 110m Ag + absorption increased from 52.4 to 98.1%. The restricted number of active sites available for 110m Ag + sorption could explain this rise in 110m Ag + uptake % [163]. Radiotracer techniques are, therefore, crucial in the study of the various processes involved in hydrometallurgy [111].…”