Influence of sodium content of nickel ferrocyanides on the retention of alkaline ions

The sorption of sodium and caesium ions on nickel hexacyanoferrates(II) with various sodium content has been investigated. Distribution coefficients were measured by batch equilibrium experiments. Caesium is fixed whatever the content of sodium in the ferrocyanide. Sodium is adsorbed on a mixed nickel-sodium ferrocyanide, while a pure nickel ferrocyanide does not retain it. This property is used in activation analysis for the determination of sodium in a silver matrix. Debye-Scherrer X-ray diffractograms of the products were taken. The equipment used was GRR Theta 60 diffractometer, using the Cu radiation (1.5405 A). The radioactive isotopes 134Cs and 24Na were produced by neutron activation. (T.I.)