Abstract
A crown ether polymer, poly(dibenzo-18-crown-6) [poly(DB18C6)], efficiently adsorbed iron(III), gold(III), gallium(III), thallium(III) and antimony(V) from hydrochloric acid solutions. The suitable concentrations of hydrochloric acid were ≥8M for iron(III), 0.1-6M for gold(III) and thallium(III), ≥5M for gallium(III) and ≥7M for antimony(V). The extent of adsorption decreased with an increase in concentration of the metals. The capacities of poly(DB18C6) for the metals, except for antimony(V), were 0.9-1.7mmol g-1. Separations of gold plus thallium, iron and gallium from each other and of gold, thallium or gallium from large amounts of iron were achieved by using the polymer columns.
