Synthesis of sodium dodecyl sulfate-supported nanocomposite cation exchanger: removal and recovery of Cu2+ from synthetic, pharmaceutical and alloy samples

A new surfactant-based nanocomposite cation exchanger, sodium dodecyl sulfate–Th(IV) tungstate (SDS–TT) was prepared by the sol–gel method. The SDS–TT was characterized by FTIR, XRD, TGA, SEM, EDS and TEM. The distribution studies for various metal ions on SDS–TT were performed in different acidic mediums. On the basis of distribution coefficient values, SDS–TT was found to be selective for Cu2+ metal ion. SDS–TT was successfully used for the quantitative separation of Cu2+ from the synthetic mixture, pharmaceutical formulation and brass sample. The regeneration studies were performed which showed a decrease in the recovery of Cu2+ from 88 to 70 % after seven consecutive cycles.