Effect of CuS, Mn₃O₄ and CeO₂ additives on Co(II) sorption by ZnS particles

Abstract

ZnS particles modified with Mn₃O₄, CeO₂ and CuS were obtained from aqueous solutions. It was shown that addition of copper and manganese ions into the reagent mixture doesn't have any influence on particle formation from thiourea solutions (the spherical particles with diameter of 0.2-0.8 μm were obtained). Introduction of CeO₂ (0.5-1 wt.%) favors particle size decrease up to 0.1-0.3 μm. Using Mn₃O₄, CeO₂ for modification proved to be ineffective in enhancing Co sorption capacity of ZnS particles. Addition of CuS (1 wt.%) into the particles leads to the increase of Co uptake from 5.0 up to 23.0 mg/g owing to formation of ZnS/CuS core-shell structures with preferential cobalt ions sorption onto CuS surface.