In order to reduce the contamination of scandium oxide products, the present disclosure provides a process for removing at least one metal contaminant from a scandium (Sc) concentrate. The process is based on contacting the Sc concentrate with an ion exchange resin to obtain a purified Sc eluate or raffinate. The first ion exchange resin and the second ion exchange resin are strong acid cationic resins with sulfonic acid functional groups in a potassium or sodium form. The purified Sc eluate or raffinate can be used to make scandium oxide products having a reduced amount of metal ion contaminants.

In order to reduce the contamination of scandium oxide products, the present disclosure provides a process for removing at least one metal contaminant from a scandium (Sc) concentrate. The process is based on contacting the Sc concentrate with an ion exchange resin to obtain a purified Sc eluate or raffinate. The first ion exchange resin and the second ion exchange resin are strong acid cationic resins with sulfonic acid functional groups in a potassium or sodium form. The purified Sc eluate or raffinate can be used to make scandium oxide products having a reduced amount of metal ion contaminants.

A composition of matter wherein the composition comprises a siliceous substrate having silanols on the surface and a polymer selected from the group consisting essentially of a water soluble polymer, a water soluble copolymer, an alcohol soluble polymer, an alcohol soluble copolymer, and combinations of such polymers, wherein the polymer is chemically bonded to the siliceous substrate by a silane linking material having the general formula
O.sub.3/2SiQY
that is derived from an alkoxy-functional silane having the general formula
(RO).sub.3SiQX
and processes for preparing the crosslinked polymer that is chemically bonded to the surface of the siliceous substrate.

A composition of matter wherein the composition comprises a siliceous substrate having silanols on the surface and a polymer selected from the group consisting essentially of a water soluble polymer, a water soluble copolymer, an alcohol soluble polymer, an alcohol soluble copolymer, and combinations of such polymers, wherein the polymer is chemically bonded to the siliceous substrate by a silane linking material having the general formula
O.sub.3/2SiQY
that is derived from an alkoxy-functional silane having the general formula
(RO).sub.3SiQX
and processes for preparing the crosslinked polymer that is chemically bonded to the surface of the siliceous substrate.

There is disclosed, a desalination apparatus making use of a particles including covalently bonded functionalized magnetic nanoparticles coupled to a complexing agent. For example, the complexing agent may include a crown ether. The particles are optionally used for removing salt from water, for example sea water. The apparatus optionally includes a magnet for magnetic filtering, concentrating and/or removing the particles and/or contaminant (e.g. salt). In some embodiments, the salt is then separated back from the particles using UV light. The remaining unclarified water may be washed out with the contaminant and/or used for salt production and/or disposed of (e.g. dumped back to the sea). Optionally, the particles are regenerated. For example, the regenerated particulars may be reused for further desalination steps (e.g. further salt removal from the clarified water) to clarify new input water.

There is disclosed, a desalination apparatus making use of a particles including covalently bonded functionalized magnetic nanoparticles coupled to a complexing agent. For example, the complexing agent may include a crown ether. The particles are optionally used for removing salt from water, for example sea water. The apparatus optionally includes a magnet for magnetic filtering, concentrating and/or removing the particles and/or contaminant (e.g. salt). In some embodiments, the salt is then separated back from the particles using UV light. The remaining unclarified water may be washed out with the contaminant and/or used for salt production and/or disposed of (e.g. dumped back to the sea). Optionally, the particles are regenerated. For example, the regenerated particulars may be reused for further desalination steps (e.g. further salt removal from the clarified water) to clarify new input water.

To provide a porous silica having high alkali resistance; and a chromatographic carrier using such a porous silica. A porous silica comprising a phosphorus oxide component and a zirconium oxide component, wherein the amount of phosphorus atoms per unit specific surface area of the porous silica is from 1 μmol/m.sup.2 to 25 μmol/m.sup.2; and the amount of zirconium atoms per unit specific surface area of the porous silica is from 1 μmol/m.sup.2 to 15 μmol/m.sup.2. And, a chromatographic carrier which contains a ligand immobilized to such a porous silica.

To provide a porous silica having high alkali resistance; and a chromatographic carrier using such a porous silica. A porous silica comprising a phosphorus oxide component and a zirconium oxide component, wherein the amount of phosphorus atoms per unit specific surface area of the porous silica is from 1 μmol/m.sup.2 to 25 μmol/m.sup.2; and the amount of zirconium atoms per unit specific surface area of the porous silica is from 1 μmol/m.sup.2 to 15 μmol/m.sup.2. And, a chromatographic carrier which contains a ligand immobilized to such a porous silica.

The invention relates to a method for producing a solid nanocomposite material comprising nanoparticles of a metal coordination polymer with ligands CN, said nanoparticles satisfying the formula [Alk.sup.+.sub.x]M.sup.n+[M′(CN).sub.m].sup.z− where Alk is an alkali metal, x is 1 or 2, M is a transition metal, n is 2 or 3, M′ is a transition metal, m is 6 or 8, and z is 3 or 4; said M.sup.n+ cations of the coordination polymer being bound by an organometallic bond or a coordination bond to an organic group R2 of an organic graft, and said organic graft furthermore being chemically attached, preferably by a covalent bond, to at least one surface of a solid support, by reaction of a group R1 of said graft with said surface.

Provided is a particulate composition comprising a collection of resin beads and LiX.2Al(OH).sub.3.nH.sub.2O, wherein n is 0 to 10, wherein X is a halogen, wherein the resin beads contain polymer having 0.5 to 3 equivalents of amine pendant groups per liter of the particulate composition, wherein the resin beads have average pore diameter of 5 to 100 nm, wherein the collection of resin beads has harmonic mean particle diameter of 200-1000 micrometers; wherein the collection of resin beads has surface area of 20 to 150 m.sup.2/g; and wherein aluminum is present in an amount of 14.5% percent or higher, by weight of aluminum atoms based on the total weight of the particulate composition. Also provided is a method of removing lithium from brine using such a composition.