Studies on indium sorption from iodide medium by polyurethane foam

Abstract

The sorption behavior of indium iodide onto polyether-based polyurethane (PUF) foam was investigated. The system shows rapid kinetics and maximum sorption from a meaningful range of either acidic or basic media and achieves distribution ratios above 10(4) L kg-1 ([KI] > 0.6 mol kg-1). Sorption equilibrium analysis indicates tetraiodo-indate (MInI4) as the main species sorbed on the foam matrix. A Langmuir isotherm was successfully fitted and values of (1.55±0.02) x 10-1 mol kg-1 and (7.0±1.3) x 10(4) L g-1 were obtained for the saturation capacity Ks and adsorption coefficient b, respectively. The temperature effect was evaluated and the thermodynamic parameters calculated. The values of the equilibrium constant, Kc, decreased with increasing temperature. The negative values of deltaG, deltaH and deltaS indicate a spontaneous and exothermic chemisorption process favored at low temperatures.