Mutual separation of Co(II), Fe(III), Eu(III) and Tb(III) on HTTA-loaded polyurethane foam

The selectivity of the 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA) loaded polyurethane (PUR) foam as adsorbent was studied. The influence of various anions on the adsorption indicated that permanganate, oxalate, EDTA, and citrate formed strong complexes with the metal ions and masked completely, while phosphate, thiosulphate, cyanide, ascorbate, tartrate and fluoride hindered the sorption of Fe(III). The sorption of Co(II) is also prohibited in presence of anions like cyanide, ascorbate and tartrate. The sorption of Eu(III) and Tb(III) is greatly affected in the presence of phosphate and fluoride. A group separation of different metals has been proposed on the basis of selectivity of the foam.