Activated carbon sorbent with thioetheric sites—preparation and characterization

An activated carbon sorbent containing thioetheric sites (ACTS) was prepared by modification of the activated carbon with 2,2′-thiodiethanol. The specific surface area, pore volume, concentration of oxygen-containing groups and sulfur content of the sorbent were determined. The sorption behavior towards ions of some precious metals—Au(III), Pt(IV), Pd(II) and heavy metals—Ni(II), Zn(II), Fe(III), Cu(II), Pb(II), Cd(II) and Co(II) was studied. Selectivity towards gold, palladium and platinum in the pH range 1–9 was observed. The capacity for gold was 80 mg g−1. The sorption of Au(III) at pH 1 is not affected by milligram amounts of Ni(II), Zn(II), Fe(III), Cu(II), Pb(II), Cd(II) and Co(II). The sorbed gold species is Au(0).