ABSTRACT
Ion exchange methods based on the nonadsorbability of Boron, present as boric acid, on strongly acidic cation exchange resins are very frequently used to separate this element from accompanying metals interfering with its determination in geological, biological, and industrial materials. Removal of most cations and anions can be effected by the successive or simultaneous use of strongly acidic and weakly or strongly basic resins. Adsorption of borate on strongly basic resins in the hydroxy 1 forms has been employed for some separations. By means of the cation exchange separation technique usually a strong acid eluate is obtained which, besides boric acid, contains all anions of both strong and weak acids. For the removal of anions not only weakly, but also strongly basic anion exchange resins can be employed. Boric acid is not retained by basic resins except when using the hydroxide forms of resins of the quaternary ammonium type.
