ION-EXCHANGE PROPERTIES OF BISMUTH ANTIMONATE

Studies on the synthesis, composition and ion exchange properties of b ismuth antimonate have been carried out. The exchanger is stable in wa ter, alcohol, acetic acid, 1 M H2SO4, 1 M HNO3, and in aqueous solutio ns of LiCl, NaCl, KCl, MgCl2 and BaCl2. The empirical formula of bismu th antimonate is proposed as Bi2O3 . Sb2O5 . 12H(2)O. Bismuth-antimony ratio has been calculated from gravimetric analysis to be 1:1. The ex change capacity for various alkali and alkaline earth metal ions have been determined by batch method. Distribution coefficients of various metal ions indicate that bismuth antimonate has a high affinity for Ag +, CU2+, Mg2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Ce4+, Th4+ and Zr4+O.