Thesis (MTech. degree: Chemistry) / Trace and ultra-trace levels of platinum group metals (PGMs) in waste effluent pose an increasing risk of exposure to human and aquatic organisms. These metal ions accumulate in environmental matrices such as water, soil and sediments thereby aggravating the situation. In addition, industrial and automotive catalytic emissions of PGMs are increasing worldwide and both mechanical and thermal wear have been found to increase the risk of exposure. Currently, methods for the determination of low levels (μg/L) of PGMs require expensive and sophisticated instrumentation. The objective of this study was to investigate the type of bonding that would lead to preconcentration of low levels of Pt, Pd and Rh ions onto suitable solid phase adsorbents, allowing for the monitoring of their possible presence in river water samples taken downstream of platinum refineries. Preconcentration prior to analysis will enable the metal ions of interest to be determined on a less expensive instrument, such as an Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, Electro Thermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, or at most, by use of Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry. Different solid phase extraction methods were applied including maize tassel, four commercially available resins and two modified resins. Results, particularly for the adsorption of Pt, were excellent with up to twenty two times the original concentration of this metal ion being recovered.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:tut/oai:encore.tut.ac.za:d1000609 |
| Date | January 2012 |
| Creators | Marais, Anne Fiona. |
| Contributors | McCrindle, R. I. (Robert Ian), Ndibewu, P. P. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | |
| Rights | ©2012 Tshwane University of Technology |
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