Ion exchange method for the detection of trace amounts of Mn2+ using nano cerium zirconium phosphate cation exchanger

Manganese (Mn) is an essential element present in all living organisms and is naturally present in rocks, soil, water, and food. The electron transfer property of cerium ions and the presence of phosphate ions of the newly synthesized exchanger were made use of in the detection of trace amounts of Mn2+ in aqueous solutions. Characterization of the exchanger was done by ICP-AES method and structural studies were carried out using TGA, XRD and FTIR. Distribution studies showed that the selectivity of the exchanger towards various metal ions was in the order Pb2+ > Cu2+ > Zn2+ > Mn2+ > Cd2+ > Y3+ > Bi3+ > Co2+ > Ni2+ > Ca2+ > Al3+ > Th4+ > Hg2+. Based on this, binary separation of Pb2+ and Cu2+ from Hg2+ and Th4+ were carried out on a column of the exchanger. Detection of Mn2+ in the presence of other ions like Pb2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Th4+ , Hg2+ etc. using the ion exchanger were also carried out.