PRECONCENTRATION OF GOLD (III), PALLADIUM (II) AND RUTHENIUM(III) WITH DITHIOCARBAMATE-CHITIN

Abstract

Dithiocarbamate-chitin (DTC-chitin) has been synthesized and used for concentration of gold (III), palladium (II) and ruthenium (III) from an acidic solution. The former two metals were quantitatively retained on the polymer from 6M hydrochloric acid even at a high flow rate(15ml min^-1), in contrast to only 80% retention for ruthenium in a narrow pH range, 3.0-4.5. Gold retained on the polymer could be eluted with 1M nitric acid containing 5% thiourea, while palladium with 1.6-fold diluted inverse aqua regia.