Aspects of the adsorption behavior of Cu2+Zn2+, and Ni2+ ions on lithium titanate ion exchanger

Lithium titanate was prepared by hydrolysis of TiCl4 using LiOH. The sorption of Cu2+,Zn2+, and Ni2+ ions on lithium titanate [(LiOx)(TiO)(y) (OH)(z)] has been investigated as a function of nitric acid concentrations in the presence of different organic solvents. Capacity, values of distribution coefficients (K-d), and selectivity patterns of the studied cations are determined on the matrix and a selectivity series Cu2+ > Zn2+ > Ni2+ is established. The retention of the studied cations was increased by increasing the organic solvents up to 60% of the bulk. The sorption of different ions was increased by increasing the reaction temperatures, which enable us to calculate the enthalpy changes (DeltaH(o)) and then determine the type of adsorption process.