Abstract
n-Butyl acetate Ce(IV) phosphate, a new Hg(II) selective, intercalated fibrous ion exchanger, has been synthesized and characterized by its ion exchange properties, thermal stability and adsorption behaviour for metal ions, X-ray, IR, TGA/DTA and SEM studies. Effect of surfactants on the adsorption behaviour of the material has also been studied. The exchanger has been found to be selective for Hg(II). Hence, it can be utilized for the separation of this metal ion from other heavy metals from aqueous media. Studies on the effect of surfactants on the adsorption behaviour of this material show that for heavy metals ion, the adsorption increases with the concentration of anionic surfactants up to the CMC value and then decreases. But, for cationic surfactants, the reverse is true. For non-ionic surfactant, adsorption remains constant up to the CMC value and then increases. For alkaline earths, the exchanger shows the same trend as above for cationic and non-ionic surfactants. However, for anionic surfactants, it is constant throughout the whole concentration range.