SELECTIVE SEPARATION OF GERMANIUM(IV) BY 2,3-DIHYDROXYPROPYL CHITOSANRESIN

2,3-Dihydroxypropyl chitosan resin, prepared from chitosan and a 1,2-d iol, adsorbed only germanium(IV) from aqueous solutions containing sem imetals over the range of acidic to weakly basic media. The adsorption capacities of the chitosan resin were up to about 1.4 mmol g(-1). The selective separation of germanium(IV) from tellurium(VI) and boron wa s achieved with a column method using the chitosan resin. The breakthr ough points of germanium(il) in the chitosan resin column were about 8 5 bed volumes in weakly basic media. The germanium(IV), adsorbed on th e column, was quantitatively recovered by elution with hydrochloric ac id. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.