Extraction chromatographic studies of zirconium(IV) with n-capric acid

A selective method has been developed for reversed phase extraction chromatographic studies of zirconium(IV) with high molecular weight carboxylic acid, n-capric acid as a stationary phase on a column of silica gel. Quantitative extraction of zirconium(IV) has been achieved from 0.01 M acetic acid solution in the pH range 2.5-5.0. The extracted zirconium(IV) has been stripped with nitric acid (4 M) and estimated spectrophotometrically. THe effect of variables as pH, stripping agents, flow rate on extraction and elution have been studied. Exchange capacity of the exchanger and breakthrough capacity have been determined. Zirconium(IV) has been separated from various elements. Zirconium(IV) has also been separated from several synthetic multicomponent mixtures. (author). 10 refs., 4 tabs., 1 fig