Adsorption of Eu(III) ions on silicas with noncovalently immobilized thiacalix[4]arene derivatives

Using the noncovalent immobilization of some thiacalix[4]arene derivatives on the surface of silanized silica, we obtained efficient adsorption materials for the extraction of Eu(III) ions from aqueous solutions of medium mineralization. The specific surface area of the adsorbents is 200–370 m2/g. It is shown that adsorbents containing thiacalix[4]arenes with phosphoryl groups selectively extract up to 99% of europium ions from aqueous solutions at pH 5.5–6; they are characterized by adsorption capacity of 7.5–14.5 mg/g and high distribution coefficients. The studied adsorbents exhibit high selectivity with respect to Eu(III) ions, wherein the distribution coefficients for Cs, Sr, Tb(III), Sm(III), Gd(III), La(III), and UO22+ are five times or more smaller.