METAL ION SEPARATION BY
IMPLEMENTING ION EXCHANGE
CHROMATOGRAPHY
PHYSICAL SECTION
M.Phil. (1st SEMESTER)
ANALLYTICAL CHEMISTRY ASSINMENT
CONTENTS LAYOUT
Introduction to the ion exchange chromatography
Cations/Anion exchange chromatography
Specified examples of the metal ions removal by the usage of the complexation
technique
Quaternary amine anion-exchange resin (Amberlite-401) for nickel, iron, uranium,
aluminum, thorium, zirconium, and yttrium ions separation
Sulfonic cation exchange resin (Dowex-52) for copper, zinc, nickel or cadmium ions
separation
References
ION EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY
Ion chromatography (ion-exchange chromatography) is an electrostatic adsorption
process that separates ions and polar molecules based on their affinity towards the
stationary ion exchanger resin
Types depending upon nature: Cation exchange chromatography and anion exchange
chromatography
Generalized components: Resin (Stationary phase) containing Exchangeable ions
(𝑯+ and 𝑶𝑯− generally); Analyte (Charged ions like 𝑿+ or 𝑿− )
Generalized representation of the working mechanism
𝑹− 𝑯+ + 𝑿+ → 𝑹− 𝑿+ + 𝑯+ (Cation exchange chromatography)
𝑹+ 𝑶𝑯− + 𝑿− → 𝑹+ 𝑿− + 𝑶𝑯− (Anion exchange chromatography)
CATION/ANION EXCHANGE CHROMATORAPHY BY
COMPLEXATION
Generalized Process:
Equilibration−all the resin sites are occupied
by the exchangeable cations/anions
Sample application and wash−metal
complexing agents/ligands are introduced first
to make the resin ready. Sample applied later
specifically bound with the ligand and get
separated from impurities and sample
solution.
Elution−utilizing the various approaches of
the pH, ionic strength and concentration
differences, analyte is separated.
Regeneration−removes all molecule still
bound for ensuring the availability of resins
sites for next run
ANION EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY FOR
REMOVAL OF METAL IONS
SPECIFIED EXAMPLES
ANION EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY
For usage of the anion exchangers for the metals,
it is essential that the metal ions are first
converted into anion complexes and then
afterwards interchanged with the exchangeable
anion.
Commercial Quaternary amine anion-exchange
resin (Amberlite-401) for the separation of the
Nickel (shown in figure), iron, uranium, aluminum,
thorium, zirconium, and yttrium ions was
performed by the Hardy et al.
Supporting agent (epoxy substances) which
facilitates the attachment of the ligand was also
employed.
Ligand of Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) generates
negative complexes of the metal ions
ANION EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY
For biomedical applications, the matrix
beads can be specified with the glucose
binding proteins having affinity with
ligands
Metals can be trapped and removed from
the medium by using this approach.
Furthermore, this matrix can be
employed for identifying particular
antibody present in the reaction medium
due to its biological affinity towards the
protein/antigen.
This greener approach with dual
purposes is reported by the Reuter et al.
CATION EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY
FOR REMOVAL OF METAL IONS
SPECIFIED EXAMPLES
CATION EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY
For usage of the cation exchangers for
the metals, it is essential that the metal
ions are first converted into cation
complexes and then afterwards
interchanged with the exchangeable
anion.
Although simple separation can be
acquired without the usage of complex.
However, this separation will be charge
and size dependent.
Greater the number of the charges
greater will be the ionic strength of the
eluent volume required for removal.
CATION EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY
Negatively charged sulfonate groups (-SO3- ) on
the resin surface attract and bind cations, such as
metal ions or cationic forms of amino acids.
If the positive complexes in the presence of
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid are prepared for
copper, zinc, nickel or cadmium, separation could
be acquired on the similar procedure.
Oliver et al. showed that the positive complexation
of EDTA with Copper generates quite effective
results in terms of its separation from the industrial
effluent.
QUESTIONS PLEASE
