Anion-exchange behaviour and separation of metal ions on deae-cellulose in oxalic acid media.

The anion-exchange behaviour of 30 metal ions on a weakly basic ion-exchanger (DEAE-cellulose) has been investigated in aqueous oxalic acid media over the concentration range 0.0010-0.50 M. There are marked differences in adsorbability between ter- and quadrivalent metal and bivalent metal groups; the system offers good prospects for group separations. The adsorptions are moderate, generally a few orders of magnitude lower than those on Dowex 1 (a strongly basic resin). Procedures for the separations Se(IV)Se(VI); As(III)As(V); multicomponent separations Mn(II)Co(II)Cu(II)Ti(IV)Zr(IV) and Cd(II)Zn(II)Cu(II), are given to demonstrate the versatility of the system.