Frontiers in Chemistry (Apr 2022)

Separation of Sulfate Anion From Aqueous Solution Governed by Recognition Chemistry: A Minireview

  • Si-Qi Chen,
  • Wei Zhao,
  • Biao Wu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2022.905563
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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The sulfate anion (SO42–) is known as an end metabolite of cysteine and methionine, and its proper concentration is associated with the expression of key functions in the physiological system. Thus, maintaining sulfate concentration at a precise level is of great significance for biology, environments, and industrial productions. Fundamental research for sulfate anion chemistry can help understand sulfate-associated physiological processes and related applications, for example, remediation. In this minireview, we summarized recent research progresses in sulfate recognition and separation using crystallization and liquid–liquid extraction. We focused on the studies wherein molecular recognition is the key element and is considered the driving force for selective sulfate separations from aqueous solution.

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