Selective complexation and extraction of Ag(I) and Zn(II) versus Pb(II) by polymer beads modified by attachment of a bipyridyl-calixarene-based chelate

The selective extraction of silver(I) and zinc(II) species from ternary mixtures involving lead(II) as the main component was performed using a Wang benzaldehyde resin supported calixarene-bipyridyl ligand. The extraction efficiency and selectivity was evaluated and quantified by complexation experiments using ionic liquid chromatography. Silver and zinc were extracted while lead stayed in solution. The selective recovery of these ions was realized by a treatment of the loaded resin with EDTA for zinc, followed by nitric acid for silver.