Systematic studies on adsorption of 11 trace heavy metals on thiol cotton fiber

The modified thiol cotton fiber (TCF) can quantitatively adsorb, at least t he ions of I I trace heavy metals in solution with adsorption order: Bi(III ) approximate to Sn(II) > Ag(I) > Cu(II) > In(III) > Pb(II) > Cd(II) > Zn(I I) > Co(II) approximate to Ni(II) > Tl(I) and a saturation adsorption quant ity of ca. 0.3 mmol g(-1). For a column with 0.1 g of TCF and a flow rate o f 10-20 ml min(-1), it can quantitatively adsorb the trace heavy metals and quantitative desorption, of the elements can be realized by elution with 2 -3 ml of 0.01-2.0 mol l(-1) HCl. TCF eluted by dilute HCl can be reused man y times and the adsorption rate is not decreased. The coexistence of metals , the complexing reagents and the organic compounds in the solution does no t interfere with the quantitative adsorption of most of the trace metals on TCF; some oxidizing reagents obviously interfere with the preconcentration of a sample with a big volume of water, which can be effectively pre-elimi nated by adding a suitable amount of some reducing agent. The experimental results show that TCF possesses excellent adsorption and desorption propert ies and is of great value to the application of the enrichment, the separat ion and the analyses of the trace elements. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.