Concentration of zinc and palladium by ion-exchange

The suitability of silica gel for the concentration of small quantities of palladium (20 μg in 500 ml) and zinc (5μg in 500 ml) by a quick and simple method has been demonstrated. It has been found that the metals are taken up completely from their dilute solutions by silica gel, but the quantity of silica gel has to be increased with increasing volume of the solution containing the trace metals. Complete elution (desorption) of the deposited ions has been carried out with a dilute hydrochloric acid solution. The eluted palladium and zinc have been determined spectrophotometrically and radiometrically, respectively. (T.G.)