Inorganic Ion Exchangers for Cesium Removal from Radioactive Wastewater

Ion exchange is a proven process for radioactive wastewater decontamination, where inorganic sorbents are ideal due to their thermal, chemical and radiation stability. This review focuses on the removal of Cs⁺ by inorganic exchangers, viz. zeolites, titanosilicates, hexacyanoferrates metal oxides and hydrous metal oxides, bentonite/clays and the key family of ammonium phosphomolybdates (AMPs). The design of new selective composites is also addressed focusing on those based on AMPs, hexacyanoferrates and titanosilicates/zeolites. Future inorganic Cs⁺ exchangers will encompass promising solids, like lanthanide silicates, sodium titanates and metal sulfides. The sensing ability derived from the photoluminescence properties of lanthanide silicates and the efficiency of layered gallium-antimony-sulfide materials in acidic and basic solutions disclose considerable potential for real applications. The ion exchange systems are discussed in terms of sorbent capacity and selectivity (with competitors), pH, temperature and solution salinity. The microscopic features of the exchangers and the associated mechanisms (e.g., pore size, counterions radii, dehydration energy of the ions, coordination environments in the solid exchanger, and site accessibility) are always used for interpreting the ion exchange behavior. On the whole, more than 250 publications were reviewed and a large compilation of data is provided in Supplemental Material.     

Cobalt(II) Oxide Solubility and Phase Stability in Alkaline Media at Elevated Temperatures

A platinum-lined, flowing autoclave facility was used to investigate the solubility behavior of cobalt(II) oxide (CoO) in deoxygenated ammonium and sodium hydroxide solutions between 22 and 288°C. Co(II) ion activity in aqueous solution was controlled by a hydrous Co(II) oxide when nitrogen was used for deoxygenation and by metallic cobalt when hydrogen was used. Measured cobalt solubilities are interpreted using a Co(II) ion hydroxo- and amminocomplexing model and thermodynamic functions for these equilibria were obtained from a least-squares analysis of the data. A common set of thermodynamic properties for the species Co(OH)⁺, Co(OH)₂(aq) and Co(OH)(NH₃)⁺ is provided to permit accurate cobalt oxide solubility calculations over broad ranges of temperature and alkalinity.     

New inorganic (an)ion exchangers based on Mg-Al hydrous oxides: (alkoxide-free) sol-gel synthesis and characterisation

New inorganic ion exchangers based on double Mg-Al hydrous oxides were generated via the new non-traditional sol-gel synthesis method which avoids using metal alkoxides as raw materials. Surface chemical and adsorptive properties of the final products were controlled by several ways of hydrogels and xerogels treatments which produced the materials of the layered structure, mixed hydrous oxides or amorphous adsorbents. The final adsorptive materials obtained via thermal treatment of xerogels were the layered mesoporous materials with carbonate in the interlayer space, surface abundance with hydroxylic groups and maximum adsorptive capacity to arsenate. Higher affinity of Mg-Al hydrous oxides towards H(2)AsO(4)(-) is confirmed by steep adsorption isotherms having plateau (removal capacity) at 220 mg[As]g(dw)(-1) for the best sample at pH=7, fast adsorption kinetics and little pH effect. Adsorption of arsenite, fluoride, bromate, bromide, selenate, borate by Mg-Al hydrous oxides was few times high either competitive (depending on the anion) as compare with the conventional inorganic ion exchange adsorbents.     

The study of the Cd(NH3) 4 2+ /Cd*(NH3) 4 2+ exchange reaction in hydrous oxides of zirconium(IV), silicon(IV) and tin(IV)

Kinetics of the exchange reaction of cadmium(II)-ammine complex ion using radio-active isotope¹¹⁵Cd in the same chemical form in hydrous oxides of zirconium(IV), silicon(IV) and tin(IV) has been studied. It has been found that the major contribution in the overall exchange process is from the surface of the exchanger particles. It has also been found that the rate of exchange follows the order: hydrous ZrO₂>hydrous SnO₂>hydrous SiO₂     

Equilibrium properties of charged spherical colloidal particles suspended in aqueous electrolytes: finite ion size and effective ion permittivity effects

The adsorption behaviour and mechanism of As(III) and Se(IV) oxyanion uptake using a mixed inorganic adsorbent were studied. The novel adsorbent, based on Fe(III)-Mn(III) hydrous oxides and manganese(II) carbonate, was synthesised using a hydrothermal precipitation approach in the presence of urea. The inorganic ion exchanger exhibited a high selectivity and adsorptive capacity towards As(III) (up to 47.6 mg/g) and Se(IV) (up to 29.0 mg/g), even at low equilibrium concentration. Although pH effects were typical for anionic species (i.e., the adsorption decreased upon pH increase), Se(IV) was more sensitive to pH changes than As(III). The rates of adsorption of both oxyanions were high. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies showed that the ion exchange adsorption of both anions took place via OH(-) groups, mainly from Fe(III) but also Mn(III) hydrous oxides. MnCO(3) did not contribute directly to As(III) and Se(IV) removal. A higher adsorptive capacity of the developed material towards As(III) was partly due to partial As(III) oxidation during adsorption.     

Solid sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry for analysis of high-purity tungsten trioxide and high-purity tungsten blue oxide

A solid sampling ETAAS method for the direct determination of Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni and Zn in high-purity tungsten trioxide and tungsten blue oxide powders using a modern spectrometer with transversely heated graphite tube and a solid sampling system is described. The extremely high background caused by the vaporizing tungsten oxides could be eliminated by the reduction to tungsten metal using hydrogen as purge gas during pyrolysis. Quantification of all elements was performed using calibration curves measured with aqueous standard solutions. The analyte contents determined were between 0.033 (Cu) and 12.6 (Fe) μg/g for tungsten trioxide and between 0.001 (Co) and 0.5 (Na) μg/g for tungsten blue oxide. The accuracy was checked by comparing the results with those obtained by ETAAS in analysis of HF/HNO₃ sample digests and by other methods. Extremely low limits of detection being between 0.07 (Mg, Na, Zn) - 2 (Ni) and 0.01 (Mg, Na, Ni) - 1.7 (Fe) ng/g for tungsten trioxide and tungsten blue oxide, respectively, could be achieved due to almost complete freedom of blank and unusually high applicable sample amounts (5–15 mg for tungsten trioxide and 5–70 mg for tungsten blue oxide).     

Synthesis and characterization of a new phase of zirconium phosphate for the separation of metal ions

The tetravalent metal acid (TMA) salt amorphous zirconium phosphate (ZP), an inorganic ion exchanger, has been synthesized by sol-gel method. The material has been characterized by elemental analysis (ICP-AES), thermal analysis (TGA, DSC), FT-IR and X-ray diffraction studies. Chemical resistivity of the material in various media-acids, bases and organic solvents has been assessed. The Na⁺ ion exchange capacity (IEC) and the effect of heating on the IEC have been determined, and showed the distribution and elution behavior of ZP towards several metal ions in different electrolyte media/concentrations. Based on the distribution studies, a few binary metal ion separations have been achieved.     

Sorption of Certain Metal Ammine Complexes on Hydrous β-SnO2

Sorption of ammine complexes of Ni⁺², Cu⁺², Zn⁺² and Cd⁺² on hydrous Tin dioxide has been studied at different pH values. It has been found that qΔ and Kd values attain a maximum with increasing pH, beyond which a fall is observed. The selectivity quotients of the exchanger material towards competing pairs (Cu⁺²-Zn⁺², Cu⁺²-Cd⁺², Cu⁺²-Ni⁺²) of complex ions have been measured as a function of the concentration of the external solution. The selectivity of the exchanger material towards the preferred ion decreased with increase in the concentration of the competing ions in the external solution. The selectivity and the sorption values (qδ) follow the same order.     

Synthesis and characterization of zirconium(IV) iodovanadate and its use as electron exchanger

Samples of zirconium(IV) iodovanadate have been synthesized under varying mixing ratios by adding a mixture of aqueous solution of 0.1 M potassium iodate and 0.1 M sodium metavanadate to aqueous solution of 0.1 M zirconium oxychloride at pH 1. The ion exchange capacity of the material for Na⁺ ion was found to be 2.20 meq g⁻¹ of dry exchanger. The material has been characterized on the basis of chemical composition, FTIR and TGA. The chemical stability of the product has been checked in neutral, acidic and basic media. The product has been used as electron exchanger. The oxidation of Fe(II), Sn(II), ascorbic acid and thioglycolic acid was achieved by batch-equilibrium technique successfully. The maximum redox capacity of the exchanger has been found to be 4.20 meq g⁻¹ of exchanger by column process.     

Thermal Analysis and X-ray Diffraction of Synthesis of Scheelite

Scheelite (calcium tungstate)is the product of one of the processing methods of wolframite by its roasting with calcium oxide or limestone or its fusion with calcium chloride, followed by acid processing of calcium tungstate with the formation of tungstic acid. Scheelite occurs in contact metamorphic deposits, hydrothermal veins and pegmatites. The present work illustrates a thermal analysis study of synthesis of scheelite by sintering of wolframite with calcite and sintering of tungsten oxide with calcite or calcium oxide using a derivatograph. The reaction products were identified microscopically and by using a Siemens Crystalloflex diffractometer. The DTA curve of sintering of wolframite with calcite shows the beginning of the reaction at 560°C with the formation of scheelite. The intensive formation of scheelite is represented by the medium and wide endothermic peak at 740°C. This is followed directly by a large and sharp endothermic peak at 860°C, representing the dissociation of unreacted calcite. The DTA curve of tungsten trioxide shows three thermal effects. The sharp exothermic peak at 320°C represents the oxidation of tungsten oxide content of lower valency. The endothermic peaks at 750 and 1090°C are related to polymorphic changes of tungsten trioxide. The beginning of its sublimation is observed at temperature higher than 800°C. The DTA curves of sintering of tungsten trioxide with calcite or calcium oxide indicate that the intensive formation of scheelite takes place by endothermic reactions at 660 and 545°C respectively. The medium and small endothermic peaks at 520 and 730°Con the DTA curve of tungsten trioxide with calcium oxide represent the dehydration of calcium oxide and the loss of carbon dioxide due to some carbonatization of calcium oxide with carbon dioxide from air, respectively. The produced scheelite is colorless in thin sections, has distinct cleavage (101), crystallizes in the tetragonal system in the form of tabular crystals and is optically positive. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

La séparation et le dosage du tungstène et du molybdène au moyen du chlorure de calcium

A rapid and simple method is described for the separation and the determination of molybdenum and tungsten. Both metals are extracted as their soluble salts, sodium molybdate and sodium tungstate, by means of an alkaline fusion (Na₂CO₃ + Na₂O₂), after which they are separated by precipitation with calcium chloride as reagent. The precipitates of calcium molybdate and calcium tungstate are filtered, washed and then decomposed by concentrated hydrochloric acid. Calcium molybdate passes completely into the filtrate while calcium tungstate leaves a precipitate of tungstic acid. By calcining this precipitate, tungstic trioxide is obtained and weighed. The tungsten content is calculated therefrom.The filtrate from tungstic acid serves for reprecipitation of calcium molybdate on making the solution alkaline and by boiling. Calcium molybdate is filtered by means of a porcelain crucible filter and then calcined. When the weight of the calcined precipitate is constant, the molybdenum content is obtained by multiplying the weight of the precipitate by the conversion factor. Results are satisfactory, separation and determination of both metals not taking more than a day's work.     

离子交换法从APT结晶母液中回收钨酸钠

用弱碱大孔离子交换树脂Ｄ３５４在微酸条件下吸附母液中钨，用１０％的苛性钠进行解吸好可获得浓钨酸钠溶液。该法简单而经济。     

Synthesis,structure, dehydration transformations and ion exchange characteristics of iron-silicate with various Si and Fe contents as mixed oxides

The synthesis of a new series of impregnated metal oxides with different Fe/Si ratios (0.5, 1 and 2) was obtained by the direct precipitation method. Physico-chemical properties and molecular formula of the obtained products were identified with different analytical techniques, such as chemical stability, XRD, IR, elemental and thermal analyses. Thermal kinetic parameters, such as order (n) and activation energy (E_a), of the solid-state phase transformations of the first dehydration process have been studied for the obtained materials from DTA thermograms. The ion exchange applications and the sorption properties of the materials with some radioactive nuclides have been studied, depending on the Fe/Si molar ratios. These investigations indicated that the ion exchange capacities as well as the selectivities of different materials towards the studied nuclides show the order Co²⁺ > Cs⁺ > Na⁺ at a certain pH.     

Synthetic Inorganic Ion-Exchangers XV. Thin-Layer Chromatography of Metal Ions on Thorium Tungstate: Quantitative Separation of Hg(II) from Several Other Metal Ions

Abstract

The analytical application of Thorium tungstate as an ion exchanger has been explored by thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) technique. Binder-free thin layers of thorium tungstate have been employed for some important binary and ternary separations. Quantitative separation of Hg(II) from the mixture of several other metal ions has been achieved.     

W掺杂SiO2介孔材料的制备与表征

以非离子表面活性剂三嵌段共聚物P123为模板剂、正硅酸乙酯(TEOS)为硅源、钨酸钠(Na2WO4·2H2O)为钨源, 通过水热法一步合成了W掺杂的二氧化硅介孔材料W-SiO2, 并通过XRD、HRTEM、EDX、FT-IR、N2吸附-脱附等表征手段, 考察了随着W含量增加, W-SiO2介孔材料结构的变化规律以及钨物种在材料中的存在状态. 结果表明, 当WO3含量w(WO3)约为10%时, W-SiO2中的钨物种是高度分散进入介孔骨架,形成W-O-Si 键; 当w(WO3)=20%时, 样品中开始有未掺入到SiO2骨架中WO3的结晶出现; 当w(WO3)约60%时, W-SiO2 样品能保持很好的介孔孔道结构, 更高含量WO3掺入将破坏二氧化硅介孔结构.     

Studies of gel metal-oxide composite samples as filling materials for W-188/Re-188 generator column

Studies of zirconium tungstate gels for production of ¹⁸⁸W/¹⁸⁸Re generators using tungsten of natural isotopic abundance irradiated in a moderate flux nuclear reactor have been carried out. Composites of WO₃–ZrO₂ have been synthesized by Complex Sol–Gel Process developed in INCT and other techniques. Different proportions of metal oxides and temperature were applied. Elution profiles of columns filled with gel samples irradiated in nuclear reactor have been studied using as an eluent 0.9% NaCl solution. Purity of ¹⁸⁸Re fraction and efficiency of elution were determined. Ageing effect on elution efficiency was also examined. It was found that the best elution performance showed zirconium tungstate gel prepared in 110 °C or 500 °C in which molar ratio of metal oxides was 1:2.     

Synthesis and characterization of nano-composite ion-exchanger; its adsorption behavior

A novel organic-inorganic nanocomposite cation-exchanger has been synthesized via sol-gel method. It was characterized on the basis of FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, AFM and Raman studies. The structural studies reveal semi-crystalline nature of the material with the particle size ranging from 1-5 nm. Physiochemical properties such as ion-exchange capacity, chemical and thermal stability of composite material have also been determined. Bifunctional behavior of the material has been indicated by its pH titrations curves. The nanocomposite material exhibits improved thermal stability, higher ion-exchange capacity and better selectivity for toxic heavy metals. The ion-exchange material shows an ion-exchange capacity of 1.8 meq g(-1) for Na(+) ions. Sorption behavior of metal ions on the material was studied in different solvents. The cation exchanger was found to be selective for Pb(II), Hg(II) and Zr(IV) ions. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) for Pb(II) ion was found to be 0.85 and 2.85 μg L(-1). Analytically important separations of heavy metal ions in synthetic mixtures as well as industrial effluents and natural water were achieved with the exchanger. The practical utility of polyanilineZr(IV)sulphosalicylate cation exchanger has been established for the analysis and recovery of heavy metal ions in environmental samples.     

Zirconium arsenophosphate as an ion exchanger

Zirconium arsenophosphate (ZAP) a new inorganic ion exchanger has been synthesized under varying conditions of precipitation. The material possesses good chemical and thermal stabilities and regeneration power. It shows no breakdown on irradiation with a gamma dose of ～10⁹ rad. ZAP shows high affinity for univalent ions like Rb⁺, Ag⁺ and Tl⁺. The Kd-values have been determined for a number of metal ions from acid media. The stoichiometry of metal ion uptake was checked using almost carrier-free radiotracers. Sixteen binary/ternary separations of metal ions are reported on a ZAP column.     

Mechanism of metal-ion sorption on hydrous metal oxides

A model for treating the sorption of metal ions on hydrous metal oxides was established based on the assumptions that these materials are weakly acidic cation exchangers and have a discrete exchanger phase. The experimental results of the sorption of metal ions on the hydrous niobium(V) and tin(IV) oxides are found to be consistent with the formulas derived from the model by considering that the charge balance and the mass action law hold in the exchanger phase and cations are sorbed by the distribution between this phase and the bulk aqueous phase.