Process of using polytetraalkylammonium and polytrialkylamine-containing ligands bonded to inorganic supports for removing and concentrating desired ions from solutions

摘要

A method for the removal and concentration of desired ions from a source solution which may contain larger concentrations of other ions including H+ comprises bringing the source solution into contact with a compound comprising a polytetraalkylammonium and/or polytrialkylamine-containing ligand covalently bonded through an organic spacer silicon grouping to a solid inorganic support. The polytetraalkylammonium and/or polytrialkylamine portion(s) of the compound has an affinity for the desired ions to form a complex thereby removing the desired ions from the source solution. The desired ions are removed from the compound by contacting the compound with a much smaller volume of a receiving solution having a greater affinity for the desired ions than does the polytetraalkylammonium and/or polytrialkylamine ligand portion of the compound. The concentrated ions thus removed may be recovered by known methods. The process is useful in removing desired or unwanted ions from water streams and in the treatment of waste streams. The invention is also drawn to the polytetraalkylammonium and polytrialkylamine-containing ligands covalently bonded through a spacer grouping to a hydrophilic inorganic solid support material.