The Ion-exchange Properties toward Hexaamminecobalt(III) and the Characterization of the Complex Cation Form of α-Zirconium Phosphate

Abstract

Abstract The ion-exchange properties of α-zirconium phosphate have been investigated for the H+–[Co(NH3)6]3+ system. The ion-exchange process was examined by means of the variation in the pH values of the supernatant. α-Zirconium phosphate loaded with hexaamminecobalt(III) was also characterized by chemical analysis, X-ray diffractometry, infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. In spite of the steric hindrance in the crystal structure of α-zirconium phosphate, the ion exchange proceeded gradually. About 30% of the hydrogen ions in α-zirconium phosphate were replaced by hexaamminecobalt(III). The interlayer distance of the exchanger expanded from 0.76 to 1.12 nm.