An advanced Cr(III) selective nano-composite cation exchanger: Synthesis, characterization and sorption characteristics

An organic–inorganic composite poly-o-toluidine zirconium(IV) iodosulphosalicylate has been synthesized by mixing poly-o-toluidine into the gel of zirconium(IV) iodosulphosalicylate. The physicochemical properties of the material were characterized by FTIR, X-ray, TGA-DTA, SEM, TEM and EDX analysis. The ion-exchange capacity and chemical stability were determined. The adsorption efficiency toward heavy metal ions was determined and material was found to be highly selective for Cr(III). The thermodynamics and kinetics of the sorption of Cr(III) were studied. Adsorption of Cr(III) was explained by pseudo-first order kinetic model. The analytical utility of the material was demonstrated by achieving separation of Cr(III) from other metal ions.