Studies on the sorption of praseodymium (III), holmium (III) and cobalt (II) from nitrate medium using TVEX-PHOR resin

The use of TVEX-PHOR resin for the sorption of praseodymium (III), holmium (III) and cobalt (II) from nitrate medium was carried out using batch and column techniques. Various parameters affecting the uptake of these metal ions such as v/m ratio, pH and the metal ion concentration were separately studied. Effect of temperature on the equilibrium distribution values has been studied to evaluate the changes in standard thermodynamic quantities. Experimental results of the investigated metal ions were found to fit to Freundlich isotherm model over the entire studied concentration range. Selectivity sequence of the resin for these metals is Ho > Pr > Co. The recovery of the investigated metals from the loaded resin is preformed with 0.1 M sulphuric acid.