Adsorption of Iron(III), Gallium (III), Thaillium(III), Antimony(V) and Antimony(III) on Activated Carbon from Hydrochloric Acid Solution

Abstract

Microgram amounts of iron(III), gallium(III), thallium(III), antimony(V), and antimony(III) were collected by adsorption on activated carbon from hydrochloric acid solutions. The extent of adsorption was determined radiochemically or spectrophotometrically. The hydrochloric acid concentrations that gave the highest recoveries (_??_90%) were: 7M for gallium, 1M for thallium(III), 9M for antimony(V), and 3M for antimony(III). Thallium(I) was not adsorbed, but it was oxidized to thallium(III) by air in the presence of activated carbon. Iron(III) was adsorbed more satisfactorily from 0.1M hydrochloric acid-(6-12)M lithium chloride solutions than 6-10M hydrochloric acid solutions. Probably the metals are adsorbed as chloro-complexes. Iron and gallium in aluminum alloys were determined spectrophotometrically after adsorptive separation.