Abstract

A simple and accurate method for the quantitative retention of traces of selenium (IV) from aqueous media was
developed employing polyurethane foams (PUFs).The dependences of selenium (IV) uptake by the unloaded and
tributyl phosphate (TBP) plasticized PUFs on pH, salt effect, nature and concentration of surfactant, etc. was
critically studied. The sorption data have followed Langmuir, and Dubinin - Radushkevich (D-R) type sorption
isotherms. Thus, "a dual-mode" sorption mechanism involving both absorption related to "solvent extraction"
and an added component for "surface adsorption" may be simultaneously present. The sorption and recovery
percentage of selenium (IV) from fresh and natural water by the proposed loaded and unloaded foam columns
were quantitatively achieved. The method was applied for the retention and recovery of selenium (IV) species
spiked to fresh water employing PUFs packed columns.

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