PRECONCENTRATION OF MERCURY(II) ON DITHIZONE ANCHORED POLY(VINYL PYRIDINE) SUPPORT

Dithizone, a selective and sensitive reagent for mercury, was anchored on cross-linked poly(vinyl pyridine) and was used for the preconcentr ation of nanogram levels of mercury. The polymeric support was charact erised for the extent of coupled dithizone and thermal properties. The support was used in batch and column experiments for the preconcentra tion of mercury. Various conditions such as pH, temperature, flow rate and column parameters were optimised for the maximum extent of mercur y loading. Figures exceeding 140 mg/g support were achieved at optimis ed conditions. Mixture of 0.2 M nitric acid and 2.0% ammonium nitrate in 1 : 1 proportion elutes mercury quantitatively. Separation of mercu ry from binary and ternary mixtures of mercury, palladium, zinc and ca dmium was achieved without any cross-contamination.