Publikationsrepositorium - Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

Gallium (Ga) is a critical element for the electronic industry, however, its long-term supply is not assured. Thus, the recovery of Ga from industrial wastewaters is important. Selective sorption is a recommended technology for the recovery of Ga from industrial wastewaters, however, selective sorbents are elusive. Desferrioxamine B (DFOB), a hydroxomate siderophore that is known to be highly selective towards Fe3+, is tested for its ability to complex Ga. This study demonstrated that DFOB forms 1:1 complex with Ga and the maximum Qe Ga is 124.4 mg of Ga complexed per g of DFOB. Further, the complexation mechanism of Ga3+ and Fe3+ with DFOB is similar, as indicated by NMR, suggesting that the selectivity of DFOB towards Fe3+ will be extended to Ga3+ as well. Thus, DFOB seems to be a suitable candidate for the sorption of Ga from industrial wastewaters.