On the ion exchange sorption of some complex cations and their nature of interaction with chromium ferrocyanide gel

The sorption of ammine complex cations of Co(III), viz. [Co(NH3)6]3+ and [Co(en)3]3+, on the H+ form of chromium ferrocyanide gel has been studied under static conditions. It is observed that the majority of these complex cations (90%) are sorbed by ion-exchange process. The extent of desorption of these complex ions with some uni- and bivalent cations is in the order K+ > NH4+ > Ba2+ > Sr2+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+.Infrared, Mossbauer, and magnetic susceptibility studies on the air-dried and powdered gel in H+ form and loaded with [Co(NH3)6]3+, [Co(en)3]3+, Fe3+, and La3+ ions show that prussiate compounds are not formed during the gel formation and the sorbed cations are held by the electrostatic attraction forces in the matrix, which is strained by the sorption of the big cations.