Use of radiotracer probes to study the binding of metal ions to wool powders

The objective of the project is to examine the potential use of wool as an industrial and/or laboratory adsorbent. This will be carried out by examining the metal sorption and desorption behaviour of a series of wool powders using radiotracer probes. Wool powders will be prepared using various milling techniques, and their metal-binding properties investigated using radiotracers such as Co, Cu and Cd, as well as reactor produced Au, Ag, Hg and Cr. Separation of gold and copper is important for the gold refining industry. Work with mercury will have important environmental implications because of mercury contamination/toxicity in our waterways. Absorption of metal ions will be monitored over a range of concentrations (10 to 10M) and pH values (from 3 to 9) at ambient temperature. Particular attention will be paid to the reversibility of the reactions and ability to scale up processes.