On the mechanism of ion exchange in zirconium phosphates—35. An equilibrium study of Na+Cs+H+ exchange on crystalline α-zirconium phosphate

Abstract An equilibrium study of the Na+Cs+H+ exchange on crystalline α-zirconium phosphate has been carried out. Isotherms for the ion exchange have been determined and phases formed during the exchange have been identified. The surface groups of the exchanger were found to greatly prefer cesium to sodium. For exchange in the interior, cesium was found to be preferred to sodium for 0–50% of exchange, while sodium is slightly preferred to cesium for the second half of exchange. The influence of surface equilibria on the total exchange mechanism is discussed.