The reaction of cobalt with manganese dioxide minerals

Abstract

The adsorption of cobalt, copper, and nickel from solution by a number of synthetic manganese dioxides has been studied, and compared with the release of ions during the reaction. It was found that the initial rapid uptake of all three ions was followed by a period of slow uptake which continued for the duration of the experiment. During the slow phase of the reactions the uptake of cobalt was greater than that of copper or nickel, and cobalt released more manganese into solution. It is suggested that cobalt is able to replace Mn3+ in the crystal lattice, and this theory is supported by arguments based on crystal field theory.