Removal of radiocobalt ions from aqueous solutions by natural halloysite nanotubes

In this study, natural halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were applied to remove radiocobalt from wastewaters under various environmental parameters such as contact time, pH, ionic strength, foreign ions and temperature by using batch technique. The results indicated that the sorption of Co(II) on HNTs was dependent on ionic strength at pH < 8.5 and independent of ionic strength at pH > 8.5. Langmuir and Freundlich models were applied to simulate the sorption isotherms of Co(II) at three different temperatures of 293, 313 and 333 K. Langmuir model fitted the sorption isotherms of Co(II) on HNTs better than Freundlich model. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔG ⁰, ΔS ⁰ and ΔH ⁰) calculated from the temperature-dependent sorption isotherms manifested that the sorption of Co(II) on HNTs was an endothermic and spontaneous process. The sorption of Co(II) was dominated by outer-sphere surface complexation or ion exchange at low pH, whereas inner-sphere surface complexation or precipitation was the main sorption mechanism at high pH. The experimental results show that HNTs have good potentialities for cost-effective disposal of cobalt-bearing wastewaters.     

Removal of radiocobalt from aqueous solution by oxidized MWCNT

The study was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotube (oxidized MWCNT) for the removal of radiocobalt (⁶⁰Co) from aqueous solutions. The oxygen functional groups of oxidized MWCNT were characterized by FT-IR and XPS. Batch experiments were performed to study the sorption of cobalt as a function of contact time, solid contents, pH, ionic strength, foreign ions, and temperature. Two kinetic models viz. pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order were used to determine kinetic sorption parameters, and the kinetic sorption could be described more favorably by the pseudo-second-order model. The thermodynamic parameters (∆G°, ∆S°, ∆H°) calculated from the temperature-dependent sorption isotherms indicated that the sorption of Co(II) on oxidized MWCNT was an endothermic and spontaneous processes. The results suggest that oxidized MWCNT can be used efficiently in the treatment of industrial effluents containing radioactive and heavy metal ions.     

Removal of radiocobalt from aqueous solution by different sized carbon nanotubes

Batch adsorption technique was applied to study the adsorption of radiocobalt on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with deferent sizes. The aim of this work was to examine the effect of contact time, pH, solid content, foreign ions and CNT particle sizes on the removal of Co(II) ions from aqueous solutions by CNTs. The results indicated that the adsorption of Co(II) was strongly dependent on pH and the adsorption capacity was in inverse proportion to the particle sizes of CNTs. The adsorption of Co(II) was weakly affected by ionic strength and foreign ions. Ion exchange and surface complexation were the main adsorption mechanisms. The kinetics of Co(II) adsorption on CNTs was described well by pseudo-second-order model. The Langmuir and Freundlich models were applied to interpret the adsorption data. The results are important to understand the physicochemical behavior of Co(II) with CNTs, and for the application of CNTs in the preconcentration of radiocobalt from large volumes of aqueous solutions.     

Removal of radiocobalt from aqueous solution by Mg2Al layered double hydroxide

The adsorption behavior of radiocobalt by Mg₂Al layered double hydroxide (Mg₂Al LDH) was studied as a function of contact time, pH, ionic strength, foreign ions, FA and temperature under ambient conditions. The results showed that the kinetic adsorption could be described by a pseudo-second order model very well. The adsorption of Co(II) on Mg₂Al LDH was strongly dependent on pH and ionic strength. The presence of FA enhanced the adsorption of Co(II) on Mg₂Al LDH at low pH, whereas reduced Co(II) adsorption at high pH. The Langmuir model fitted the adsorption isotherms of Co(II) better than the Freundlich and D–R model at three different temperatures of 303, 323 and 343 K. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH°, ΔS° and ΔG°) calculated from the temperature dependent adsorption isotherms indicated that the adsorption process of Co(II) on Mg₂Al LDH was endothermic and spontaneous. The results show that Mg₂Al LDH is a promising material for the preconcentration and separation of pollutants from large volumes of aqueous solutions.     

Removal of radiocobalt from aqueous solutions by kaolinite affected by solid content, pH, ionic strength, contact time and temperature

The kaolinite sample was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray powder diffraction, and was applied as adsorbent for the removal of radiocobalt ions from radioactive wastewater. The results demonstrated that the sorption of Co(II) was strongly dependent on pH and ionic strength at low pH values, and independent of pH and ionic strength at high pH values. The sorption of Co(II) was dominated by outer-sphere surface complexation or ion exchange at low pH values, whereas inner-sphere surface complexation was the main sorption mechanism at high pH values. The sorption isotherms were well described by Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich models. The thermodynamic parameters (i.e., ΔG°, ΔS°, ΔH°) calculated from the temperature-dependent sorption isotherms indicated that the sorption of Co(II) on kaolinite was an endothermic and spontaneous process. The results of high sorption capacity of kaolinite suggested that the kaolinite sample was a suitable material for the preconcentration of Co(II) from large volumes of aqueous solutions and as backfill materials in nuclear waste management.     

Sorption of radiocobalt(II) from aqueous solutions to Na-attapulgite

The sorption of Co(II) on Na-attapulgite as a function of contact time, solid content, pH, ionic strength, foreign ions, fulvic acid (FA) and temperature under ambient conditions was studied. The kinetic of Co(II) sorption on Na-attapulgite was described well by pseudo-second-order model. The sorption of Co(II) on Na-attapulgite was strongly dependent on pH and ionic strength. The sorption of Co(II) was mainly dominated by outer-sphere surface complexation and/or ion exchange at low pH, whereas inner-sphere surface complexation or surface precipitation was the main sorption mechanism at high pH values. The presence of FA did not affect Co(II) sorption obviously at pH <7, and a negative effect was observed at pH >7. The Langmuir and Freundlich models were used to simulate the sorption data at different temperatures, and the results indicated that the Langmuir model simulated the data better than the Freundlich isotherm model. The thermodynamic parameters (∆G°, ∆S°, ∆H°) calculated from the temperature-dependent sorption isotherms indicated that the sorption of Co(II) on Na-attapulgite was an endothermic and spontaneous process. The results suggest that the attapulgite sample is a suitable material in the preconcentration and solidification of radiocobalt from large volumes of aqueous solutions.     

Enthalpies of sorption of glycine from aqueous solutions by carboxylic cation exchangers

The influence of glycine acidity on its interactions with carboxylic cation exchangers in the protonated and deprotonated forms was investigated by the calorimetric and sorption methods. The enthalpies of sorption of glycine on KB-2 and KB-4 cation exchangers at various pH were determined.     

Removal of pentachlorophenol from aqueous solutions by dolomitic sorbents

The partial decomposition of dolomite carried out within the temperature range 600-1000 degrees C provides new sorbents, called dolomitic sorbents. Their surface properties and identification by X-ray diffraction are discussed. The lowest specific surface area value was found for the raw dolomite, while the highest value was achieved by the D-1000 sample. The adsorption equilibrium of pentachlorophenol from aqueous solutions on the examined sorbents was investigated at 30, 40, and 50 degrees C via a bath process. Langmuir, Freundlich, Langmuir-Freundlich, and Redlich-Petersen models were fitted to experimental equilibrium data, and their goodnesses of fit are compared. The adjustable parameters of Langmuir-Freundlich and Redlich-Petersen isotherms were estimated by nonlinear least-squares analysis. Langmuir and Freundlich models were found insufficient to explain the adsorption equilibrium, while Langmuir-Freundlich and Redlich-Petersen isotherms provide the best correlation of the pentachlorophenol adsorption onto dolomitic sorbents.     

Removal of iodide from aqueous solutions by polyethylenimine-epichlorohydrin resins

The iodide removal from aqueous solutions (initial I^?-concentration: 300–5,000 mg/L) by a low and a high molecular weight polyethylenimine-epichlorohydrin resin was investigated both in absence and presence of background electrolytes (NaCl and Na₂SO₄, ionic strength due to background electrolyte 0.1 M) using a batch technique, ¹³¹I as radioactive tracer and high-resolution γ-ray spectrometry. The experiments in absence of background electrolyte were performed using solutions of initial pH 3 and 7, whereas those in presence using solutions of initial pH 3. The results, which demonstrated the high iodide-removal efficiency of both resins, were modeled using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations. The experimental data were better reproduced using the Langmuir equation. Using this equation maximum sorption capacity values (Q _max) of 638.8 and 603.3 mg/g were obtained for the high molecular weight resin from solutions of initial pH 3 and 7 respectively, whereas the corresponding values for the low molecular weight one were slightly lower (552.4 and 507.5 mg/g respectively). The iodide uptake by the resins strongly depended on the presence of competing anions and especially of sulfates. The examination of sections of the I-loaded resins grains by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) revealed that iodine was evenly distributed throughout the bulk of the resins and not only bound to their surface.     

Removal of thorium from aqueous solutions by sodium clinoptilolite

Adsorptive behavior of natural clinoptilolite was assessed for removal of thorium from aqueous solutions. Natural zeolite was characterized by X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence. The zeolite sample composed mainly of clinoptilolite. Na-exchanged form of zeolite was prepared and its sorption capacity for removal of thorium from aqueous solutions was examined. The effects of relevant parameters, including initial concentration, contact time, solid to liquid ratio, temperature and initial pH on the removal efficiency were investigated in batch studies. The pH strongly influenced thorium adsorption capacity and maximal capacity was obtained at pH 4.0. Kinetics and isotherm of adsorption were also studied. The pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich and intra-particle diffusion models were used to describe the kinetic data. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model provided excellent kinetic data fitting (R ² > 0.999) with rate constant of 1.25, 1.37 and 1.44 g mmol⁻¹ min⁻¹ respectively for 25, 40 and 55 °C. The Langmuir and Freundlich models were applied to describe the equilibrium isotherms for thorium uptake and the Langmuir model agrees very well with experimental data. Thermodynamic parameters were determined and are discussed.     

Photoelectrochemical determination of inorganic mercury in aqueous solutions

An analytical method using an optical probe in a photoelectrochemical cell for the sensitive and selective determination of aqueous Hg²⁺ is presented. A previously synthesized Hg²⁺ selective chemosensor, proven to be Hg²⁺ sensitive up to 2 μg L⁻¹, has been immobilized onto indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes in a composite form with polyaniline. The coated ITO electrode was placed in a photoelectrochemical cell under closed circuit conditions in which the optical recognition of the chemosensor was converted to a measurable signal. A composite of the fluorescent chemosensor, Rhodamine 6G derivative (RS), and polyaniline (PANI) was immobilized on ITO glass plates and subjected to photovoltage measurements in the absence and presence of Hg²⁺. The optical responses of the coated electrode were used to determine the sensitivity and selectivity of the immobilized sensor to Hg²⁺ in the presence of background ions. The optical response of the PANI-dye coated electrode increased linearly with increasing Hg²⁺ concentration in the range 10-150 μg L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 6 μg L⁻¹.     

Removal of copper from aqueous solutions by adsorption on activated carbons

The adsorption isotherms of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions in the concentration range 40–1000 mg l⁻¹ on two samples of granulated and two samples of activated carbon fibres containing varying amounts of associated oxygen have been reported. The adsorption isotherms are type I of BET classification showing initially a rapid adsorption tending to be asymptotic at higher concentrations. The amounts of oxygen associated with the carbon surface has been enhanced by oxidation with nitric acid and ammonium persulphate in the solution phase and with oxygen gas at 350°C and decreased by degassing of the oxidized carbon samples at 400, 650 and 950°C. The adsorption of Cu(II) ions increases on oxidation and decreases on degassing. The increase in adsorption on oxidation depends on the nature of the oxidative treatment while the decrease in adsorption on degassing depends on the temperature of degassing. This has been attributed to the increase in the carbon–oxygen acidic surface groups on oxidation and their decrease on degassing. Suitable mechanisms consistent with the results have been proposed.     

Removal of strontium from aqueous solutions by sodium dodecyl sulfate-modified palygorskite

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Palygorskite (PAL) was modified with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) for the removal of Sr(II) from aqueous solutions. Analysis of the structural...     

Removal of lead from aqueous solutions by adsorption with surface precipitation

An activated carbon from Coconut (Cocos nucifera) shells was prepared by physical activation with carbon dioxide and water vapor. The activated carbon obtained has a surface area of 1058 m² g^?1 and such a high micropore volume of 0.49 cm³ g^?1. This carbon was studied for the removal of lead from water. Sorption studies were performed at 30 °C, at different pH and adsorbent doses, in batch mode. Lead precipitation was observed on the surface of the activated carbon. Maximum adsorption occurred at pH 9 for an adsorbent dose of 2 g L^?1. Kinetic studies, at the initial concentration of 150 mg L^?1 of lead, pH 5 and an adsorbent dose of 1 g L^?1, yielded an equilibrium time of 50 h for this activated carbon. The kinetic data were modeled with the pseudo first order, the pseudo second order and the Bangham models. The pseudo second order model fitted the data well. The sorption rate constant (7 × 10^?4 mol^?1 Kg s^?1) and the maximum amount of lead adsorbed (0.23 mol kg^?1) are quite good compared to the data found in literature. Sorption equilibrium studies were conducted in a concentration range of lead from 0 to 150 mg L^?1. In an aqueous lead solution with an initial concentration of 30 mg L^?1, at pH 5, adsorbent dose 1 g L^?1, activated Coconut shell carbon removed at equilibrium 100 % of the heavy metal. The equilibrium data were modeled with the Langmuir and Freundlich equations, of which the former gave the best fit. The Langmuir constants Q_{max eq} (0.23 mol kg^?1) and K_L (487667 L mol^?1) are in good agreement with literature. XPS studies identified adsorbed species as lead carbonates and/or lead oxalates and precipitates as lead oxide and/or lead hydroxide on the activated carbon surface. The Coconut shell activated carbon is a very efficient carbon due to its high surface area, to the presence of many micropores on its surface and to the presence surface groups like hydroxyls promoting adsorption in the porous system and lead crystal precipitation on the activated carbon surface.     

Removal of uranium from aqueous solutions by diatomite (Kieselguhr)

In this study, the removal of uranium from aqueous solutions by diatomite earth (Kieselguhr) fine particules has been investigated. Diatomite earth is an important adsorbent material in chromatographic studies. Uranium adsorption capacity of four different types of diatomite was determined. The adsorption of uranium on the chosen diatomite sample was examined as a function of uranium concentration, solution pH, contact time and temperature. The adsorption of uranium on diatomite followed a Langmuir-type isotherm.     

Removal of actinides and fission products activity from intermediate alkaline waste using inorganic exchangers

Hydrated iron oxide or amorphous-Fe₂O₃·3.5 H₂O (HFeO), hydrated titanium oxide (HTiO) and hydrated thorium oxide (HThO) were synthesized and their applicability for the decontamination of intermediate level liquid wastes (ILLW) was tested. The sorption of a few actinides like plutonium and americium on HFeO, ¹³⁷Cs and ¹⁰⁶Ru on HTiO and ⁹⁰Sr on HThO was investigated as a function of pH, time and loading capacity of the hydrous oxide with metal ions. The influence of the total dissolved salt content was also monitored. Some of these parameters influenced the sorption behavior significantly. The radiation stability of these inorganic sorbents were studied by irradiating them up to 48 Mrad. Adsorbed actinides and fission products were successfully eluted from HFeO and from the mix-bed of HTiO and HThO by 0.5M nitric acid.The authors wish to thank Shri R. D. Changarani, Chief Superintendent NRG Facilities and Shri P. K. Dey, Head FRD for their valuable advice and constant support.     

Removal of actinides and fission products activity from intermediate alkaline waste using inorganic exchangers

Hydrated iron oxide or amorphous-Fe₂O₃·3.5 H₂O (HFeO), hydrated titanium oxide (HTiO) and hydrated thorium oxide (HThO) were synthesized and their applicability for the decontamination of intermediate level liquid wastes (ILLW) was tested. The sorption of a few actinides like plutonium and americium on HFeO, ¹³⁷Cs and ¹⁰⁶Ru on HTiO and ⁹⁰Sr on HThO was investigated as a function of pH, time and loading capacity of the hydrous oxide with metal ions. The influence of the total dissolved salt content was also monitored. Some of these parameters influenced the sorption behavior significantly. The radiation stability of these inorganic sorbents were studied by irradiating them up to 48 Mrad. Adsorbed actinides and fission products were successfully eluted from HFeO and from the mix-bed of HTiO and HThO by 0.5M nitric acid.The authors wish to thank Shri R. D. Changarani, Chief Superintendent NRG Facilities and Shri P. K. Dey, Head FRD for their valuable advice and constant support.     

Removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions by alkaline-earth metal phosphates

The possibility of utilization of calcium or magnesium phosphates of various composition for heavy and non-ferrous metal extraction from aqueous solutions has been studied. The efficiency of the phosphates in removal of Pb(II), Cr(III) and Fe(III) ions has been shown to decrease in the following sequence: Mg₃(PO₄)₂>MgNH₄PO₄>Ca₃(PO₄)₂>CaHPO₄>Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂ which is inverse to their hydrolytic stability series. It has been established that phosphates of non-apatite structure are capable of binding up to 12 mmol g⁻¹ of the named heavy metals by a chemical interaction. Hydroxyapatite interacts with the polyvalent metal ions via either the above mentioned or ion-exchange mechanism, depending on preparation method used for the apatite and the nature of metal.     

Removal of Congo red from aqueous solutions by neem saw dust carbon

Neem sawdust was used to develop an effective carbon adsorbent. This adsorbent was used for the removal of Congo Red (CR) from aqueous solution. The data suggest that the pH of aqueous solutions influences CR removal due to the decrease of removal efficiency with increasing pH. An optimal pH < 3 for the adsorption of CR onto neem sawdust carbon (NSDC) was determined. The experimental data were analysed by the Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson, Toth, Temkin, Sips and Dubinin-Radushkevich models of adsorption. Three simplified kinetic models based on pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion equations were used to describe the adsorption process. It was shown that the adsorption of CR could be described by the pseudo-second-order equation, suggesting that the adsorption occurs as a chemisorption process. The results indicate that the NSDC can be used as a low cost adsorbent alternative to commercial activated carbon for the removal of dyes from wastewaters.