Quaternization of algal/PEI beads (a new sorbent): Characterization and application to scandium sorption from aqueous solutions

Algal/Polyethyleneimine beads (APEI) were successfully quaternized to prepare an efficient sorbent (Q-APEI) for Sc(III) recovery. The functionalization has been confirmed by a series of analytical procedures: titration (pHPZC), elemental analysis, SEM, BET, EDX, FTIR, XPS and TGA. The sorption properties for Sc(III) from mild acidic solutions have been compared for APEI and Q-APEI: the sorption capacity increases from 1.0 to 3.8 mmol Sc g−1, at...