An advanced inorganic ion exchanger, zirconium titanium phosphate (ZTP) of the class of tetravalent bimetallic acid (TBMA) salt has been synthesized by sol-gel route. ZTP has been characterized for ICP-AES, TGA, FTIR and XRD. Chemical stability of the material in various media-acids, bases and organic solvents has been assessed. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) and effect of calcination (100-500 degrees C) on CEC has also been studied. Distribution behaviour of metal ions Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ (d-block), Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Bi3+ (heavy) and La3+, Ce3+, Th4+, UO22+ (f-block) towards ZTP has been studied and distribution coefficient (K-d) determined in aqueous as well as various electrolyte media/concentrations. Based on the differential selectivity, breakthrough capacity (BTC) and elution behaviour of various metal ions towards ZTP, a few binary and ternary metal ion separations have been carried out. Crown Copyright (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.