Enhanced chromatographic separation of cobalt and uranyl ions using tin (IV) antimonate column from aqueous solution

The effect of electric field on tin (IV) antimonate column bed to separate cobalt and uranium was investigated. Separation was carried out from nitrate solution and ionic strength of 0.6. Variation of applied potential, time and pH were investigated. Ion mobilities at pH 1 are calculated and given to be 5.5 x 10-4 and 2.73 x 10-4 cm2 V-1 s-1 for cobalt and uranyl ion respectively. Number of theoretical plate heights were calculated from the breakthrough curve and given to be 354 and 210 for cobalt and uranyl ions, respectively. Diffusion coefficient were calculated according to Nernst equation and found to be of 7.6 x 10-6 and 3.5 x 10-6 cm2 s-1 for cobalt and uranyl ions, respectively. Also, breakthrough capacities were calculated and found to be 0.7 mmol g-1 for cobalt ion and 0.4 mmol g-1 for uranyl ion, respectively. (author)