Removal of Cu2+, Cd2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+ ions by the synthesized sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate-based tin (IV) phosphate (SDBS-SnP) cation exchanger

The newly synthesized cation exchanger sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate (SDBS)-based tin (IV) phosphate, SDBS-SnP, has been found to be a good cation exchange material for the removal of Cu2+, Cd2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+ ions from water sample. The cation exchanger, SDBS-SnP, was synthesized and was characterized by using the physical techniques like infrared spectroscopy, X-rays diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy and thermal and differential thermogravimetric analysis. The XRD studies indicated that the SDBS-SnP is an amorphous material. The elemental analysis of the material was also performed on the ion exchange material to ascertain the presence of surfactants and inorganic constituents. The ion exchange capacity is improved to a value of 2.20 milli equivalent of Na+ ions per gram cation exchange material. The concentration behaviour showed that 1.0 M NaNO3 was the optimum concentration for the complete removal of H+-ions from SDBS-SnP. The H+-ions were eluted by 160 mL of 1.0 M NaNO3 solution. The ion exchange material retained more than 95% of its initial values of ion exchange capacity on heating to 100°C for an hour. The cationic exchanger is found to be highly selective for Cu2+, Cd2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+ ions, and can be used for the separation of Cu2+, Cd2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+ ions from the solution containing acid, alkalis or alkaline earth metals.