Studies on the Uptake of Some lanthanide Metal Ions on 1, 10-Phenanthroloine, and 4, 4-Bipyridine Intercalated Products of Zirconium Phosphate by Radio Tracer Technique

Crystalline α-zirconium phosphate, α-Zr(HPO4)2.H2O, was prepared via HF-method. Its metastable alcohol form, α-Zr(HPO4)2.2C2H5OH, was prepared and subjected to intercalate with 1,10-Phenanthroloine, and 4,4--Bipyridine to give well defined composites α-Zr(HPO4)2 (Phen)0.5.2H2O , α-Zr(HPO4)2 (4,4--Bipy)0.35.1.2H2O, respectively. Uptake of metal ions La3+, Sm3+, Eu3+, Gd3+ and Yb3+ on the resultant 1,10-phenanthroline and 4,4--bipyridine intercalated products was investigated by radio tracer technique in HNO3 solution of pH1, and pH4. The radio tracers used were 140La, 153Sm,152mEu, 159Gd and 175Yb. The selectivity order (Kd values) at pH4 found to be for: (i)α-Zr(HPO4)2 (Phen)0.5.1.2H2O ; La(16135) > Yb (13600) > Eu(12300) > Sm(9987) > Gd(5510). (ii)α-Zr(HPO4)2 (4,4--Bipy)0.35 .1.2H2O; Eu(2936) > Sm (2660) > La(2185) > Yb(2072) > Gd(1782). The Kd values at pH1 found to be quite low, less than12 for the resultant intercalated products. The cation exchange of the lanthanide metal ions occurs with the residual protons in POH groups. However, we cannot rule the possibility of some complex formation of lanthanide metal ions with intercalated materials.