Evaluation of scandium sorption using modifed Amberlite XAD‑4 resin

Abstract

Amberlite XAD-4 resin, impregnated with di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (D2EHPA), was prepared as the adsorbent for this study. The loading capacity for the resin is 11.5 g of D2EHPA per gram of resin. Several parameters (adsorbent dosage, time, pH, initial metal concentration) were evaluated to investigate the adsorption capacity of the impregnated resin for Sc3+ from aqueous solutions. A maximum capacity of 0.035 mg Sc3+/g of resin was achieved. The physical interaction of D2EHPA with the Amberlite XAD-4 resin was demonstrated using FT-IR. The adsorption data have been shown to ft well into the Langmuir isotherm. The pseudo-second-order model suitably describes the adsorption kinetics data, with a good correlation between the theoretical and experimental adsorption capacity values.