Adsorption of Ag (I) Ions at the Zirconium Phosphate/KNO3 Aqueous Solution Interface

The paper presented the mechanical (MChT), microwave (MWT), and hydrothermal (HTT) methods of zirconium phosphate samples modification in order to improve its adsorption affinity for the Ag (I) ions. The FTIR studies proved that the modification of both gel and xerogel samples with the ultrasonic microwaves causes an increase in the concentration of phosphate groups on the surface of MWT-modified zirconium phosphate: the isoelectric point pHiep = 2.2–2.9 for these samples against 3.9 for the initial sample and pKa2 values were 4.7–5.6 and 6.3, respectively. As resulting from the Ag⁺ ion adsorption studies, the MWT treatment of zirconium phosphate samples caused the greatest affinity of Ag⁺ ions for the surface of MWT zirconium phosphate. Compared with the initial ZrP sample, the shift of the Ag (I) ion adsorption edge towards lower pH values was observed, e.g., with adsorption of Ag (I) ions from the solution with the initial concentration of 1 µmol/dm³ for the initial ZrP sample pH50% = 3.2, while for the sample MWT ZrPxero pH50% = 2.6.