Synthesis and Analytical Applications of Thorium(IV) Phosphosilicate-A New Mercury Selective Cation Exchanger : Effect of Gamma Irradiation on its Ion-Exchange Behavior

Analytical Iaboratories, Chemistry Section, Faculty of Engineering and Technology,  Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202 001

Manuscript received 1 March 1983, revised 18 .August 1983, accepted 11 February 1984

A new mercury selective inorganic cation exchanger, thorium(IV) phosphosilicate has been synthesized and studied for its ion-exchange behaviour. The exchanger has been characterized by chemical analysis and infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry and pH-titration. The effect of gamma irradiation on its ion-exchange behaviour has also been studied. Finally, the utility of the material has been demonstrated by achieving some binary separation!i of metal ions, and by separating Hg(II) from some synthetic amalgam solutions.