Ion-exchange recovery of gold(I) and silver(I) from thiosulfate solutions

The sorption recovery of gold(I) and silver(I) from model thiosulfate solutions (concentrations of gold, silver, and sodium thiosulfate were 0.1-1.6 mmol/l, 0.3-5.6 mmol/l, and 0.5 mol/l, respectively; pH was 8 to 12) by ion exchangers with different physical and chemical structure was studied. The anion exchanger Purolite A530 was shown to have the best sorption properties. By use of IR spectroscopy, it was ascertained that gold and silver are present within the phase of the sorbent in the form of [Au(S2O3)(2)](3-) and [Ag(S2O3)(2)](3-) particles, respectively.