Adsorption of UO2 2+, Tl+, Pb2+, Ra2+ and Ac3+ onto polyacrylamide-bentonite composite

Composite of polyacrylamide-bentonite (PAA-B) was prepared by direct polymerization in a suspension of bentonite (B), the composite was then modified by phytic acid (PAA-B-Phy). The parameters related to adsorption of UO₂ ²⁺ in absence and presence of 0.01M CaCl₂ and of natural radionuclides (Tl⁺, Pb²⁺, Ra²⁺ and Ac³⁺ in a leaching solution) onto PAA-B and PAA-B-Phy, and thermodynamics of the adsorption were investigated. Adsorption isotherms were of L and H types for the adsorption of UO₂ ²⁺ onto PAA-B and PAA-B-Phy, whilst for Tl⁺, Pb²⁺, Ra²⁺ and Ac³⁺ they were of C type for both adsorbents. Langmuir equilibrium constants for the adsorption of all studied ions onto PAA-B-Phy were significantly higher than those found for PAA-B. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that adsorption reactions are spontaneous in terms of adsorption free enthalpy. The composite of PAA-B and its modification by Phy have been used for the first time in this study. It is concluded that the composites can be practically used for adsorption and applied as adsorbent of radionuclides.