Sorption of Cu(II) and Eu(III) ions from aqueous solution by olive cake

The sorption of Cu(II) on olive cake, a biomass by-product of olive oil production, has been investigated by potentiometry at pH 6, I=0.1 M NaClO₄, 25 °C and under atmospheric conditions. Numerical analysis of the experimental data supports the formation of surface complexes and allows the evaluation of the corresponding formation constant, which is found to amount log β=5.1±0.4. This value is close to corresponding values given in literature for Cu(II)-humate complexes, indicating that the same type of active sites (e.g. carboxylic and phenolic groups) is responsible for the Cu(II) binding by olive cake. Addition of a competing metal ion (e.g. Eu(III) ion) in the system leads to replacement of the Cu(II) by Eu(III). Evaluation of the potentiometric data obtained from competition experiments indicates on a ionexchange mechanism. The formation constant of the Eu(III) species sorbed on olive cake is found to be log β=5.4±0.9. The results of this study are of particular interest with respect to waste water treatment technologies using biomass products as adsorbent material and environmental impact assessments regarding disposal of biomass by products in the geosphere.     

Synthesis and morphological studies of nanocrystalline MOR type zeolite material

A number of nanosize mordenite (MOR) analogues with particle size ranging from 5 to 50 nm were synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The effect of various growth parameters like: alkalinity of the medium, type of silica source, etc. on crystal morphology and the crystal size of MOR type of zeolites was investigated. Specific surface and micropore volume were investigated by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. XRD, SEM, TEM studies indicate nanosize growth of the MOR type crystals. Electron diffraction patterns confirm the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles and the results of their indexing prove that the material is MOR. These synthesized materials show microporous as well mesoporous character. In the case of MOR material synthesized using sodium silicate, it was found that an increase in the alkalinity of the medium led to changes in the morphology and crystal size of the material. For low concentrations of NaOH, the crystallites were spherical in shape whereas at high concentrations, they were in the shape of nanorods of diameter 25 to 50 nm. The morphology of the MOR material synthesized using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), on the other hand, did not change when the NaOH concentration was increased beyond 2.0 molar.     

Synthesis of Faujasite type zeolite from low grade Tunisian clay for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous waste by batch process: Kinetic and equilibrium study

In this study, a faujasite type zeolite synthesized from cheap local Tunisian illitic clay and having a hierarchical porosity was used for adsorption of heavy metals. The adsorption behavior of the FAU with respect to Cu (II), Cr (III) and Co (II) has been investigated using batch experiments. The removal efficiency was determined at different contact times, initial metal concentrations, temperatures, pHs, and adsorbent amounts. Both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms fit well with the equilibrium data. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order model. The observed selectivity was determined as follow: Cu (II) > Co (II) > Cr (III).     

Formation of aquatic Th(IV) colloids and stabilization by interaction with Cm(III)/Eu(III)

The present investigation is to ascertain under what conditions actinide ions undergo aggregation via oxo-bridging to form stable colloidal species. Eu and Th are taken for this purpose as trivalent and tetravalent actinide homologue ions, respectively. For verification of the effects of impurities in chemicals on the actinide colloid generation, pH is adjusted either by a conventional acid-base titration or by coulometry without addition of NaOH. The colloid generation is monitored by highly sensitive laser-induced breakdown detection in varying pH from 3 to 7, first in dilute Eu and Th solutions separately and then in a mixture of both, all in 0.5 M HCl/NaCl. The formation of stable colloids is observed particularly in a mixed solution of Eu and Th, suggesting that aggregation via mutual oxo-bridging of trivalent and tetravalent metal ions results in surface polarization, leading to stable hydrophilic particles of 20-30 nm in diameter. When Eu is replaced by Cm in the mixed solution in favor of the high fluorescence intensity of the latter, the chemical speciation is determined on colloid-borne Cm by time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy. Two different colloid-borne Cm species, oxo-bridged with Th, are identified: a minor amount at 598.0 nm (denoted as Cm-Th(1)) and a major amount at 604.8 nm (Cm-Th(2)). The former is found as a transitional state, which converts to the latter with increasing pH and prevails at pH > 5.5. Both colloid-borne species (Cm-Th) are distinctively different from hydrolyzed Cm or its carbonate complexes with respect to their fluorescence peak positions and lifetimes. In conclusion, a mixed oxo-bridging of trivalent and tetravalent actinides elicits the generation of stable colloids, whereas individual ions in their pure state form colloids under oversaturation at near neutral pH only as a transitional state for precipitation.     

Sorption of thorium(IV) from aqueous solutions by graphene oxide

Graphene oxide (GO) is one of the most important carbon nano-materials. In this paper, GO was synthesized from flake graphite and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The sorption of Th(IV) on GO was investigated as a function of contact time, solid-to-liquid ratio, pH, ionic strength, and in the presence of fulvic acid (FA) and humic acid (HA) by batch experiments. The sorption percentage of Th(IV) on GO decreased with increasing ionic strength and decreasing solid-to-liquid ratio. The sorption edge of Th(IV) in the presence of FA/HA is much lower than that in the absence of FA/HA. Furthermore, the sorption processes of Th(IV) can be described by a pseudo-second order rate model. Based on the Langmuir model, the maximum sorption capacities (Cs_max) of Th(IV) were about 5.80 × 10^?4 mol/L. From thermodynamic investigation, sorption of Th(IV) on GO is spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The rapid sorption rate and high sorption capacity suggest that GO is a promising adsorbent for Th(IV).     

Modifying attapulgite clay by ammonium citrate tribasic for the removal of radionuclide Th(IV) from aqueous solution

The ammonium citrate tribasic was successfully modified to attapulgite clay and the effect of modifying was characterized by FTIR and XRD techniques. Experimental results showed that the ammonium citrate tribasic modified attapulgite clay had a strong sorption ability to remove Th(IV) from aqueous solutions. The sorption of Th(IV) from aqueous solutions has been systematically investigated as a function of several variables including contact time, solid content, pH, ionic strength, Fulvic acid (FA)/humic acid (HA) and temperature under ambient conditions. The results indicate that the sorption of Th(IV) onto ammonium citrate tribasic modified attapulgite clay is strongly dependent on pH, Th(IV) initial concentration, ionic strength, temperature and HA/FA. Surface complexation and ionic exchange are the main sorption mechanisms. Sorption of Th(IV) onto ammonium citrate tribasic modified attapulgite is quick and can be fitted by a pseudo-second-order rate model very well. Sorption of Th(IV) onto ammonium citrate tribasic modified attapulgite is promoted at higher temperature and the sorption reaction is an endothermic process. Langmuir isotherm model fits the experimental data better than Freundlich and D-R isotherm models. The results suggest that the ammonium citrate tribasic modified attapulgite sample is a suitable material in the preconcentration and solidification of radionuclide Th(IV) from large volumes of aqueous solutions.     

Evaluation of Se(IV) removal from aqueous solution by GMZ Na-bentonite: batch experiment and modeling studies

Bentonite has been studied extensively because of its strong sorption and complexation ability. In this work, the sorption of Se(IV) on purified GMZ bentonite was investigated under ambient temperature as functions of contact time, pH, Se(IV) concentration and co-existing ion Eu(III) using batch techniques. Sorption kinetics of Se(IV) was successfully described by the pseudo-second-order rate equation. The sorption amount of Se(IV) was strongly dependent on the solution pH, and a positive effect was observed on Se(IV) and Eu(III) co-sorption when these two elements existed in the same system under high surface coverage of sorbent. Double layer model was set up and used to quantitatively interpret the sorption experimental data collected in binary and ternary sorption systems. From the experimental results, one can conclude that GMZ bentonite may have good potentialities for immobilizing selenium in nuclear wastes.     

Some synthesized polymeric composite resins for the removal of Co(II) and Eu(III) from aqueous solutions

Summary The ion-exchange and sorption characteristics of new polymeric composite resins, prepared by gamma radiation were experimentally studied. The composite resins show high uptake for Co(II) and Eu(III) ions in aqueous solutions in a wide range of pH. The selectivity of the resins for Co(II) or Eu(III) species in presence of some competing ions and complexing agents (as Na⁺, Fe³⁺, EDTANa₂, etc.) was compared. Various factors that could affect the sorption behavior of metal ions (Co(II) and Eu(III)) on the prepared polymeric composite resins were studied such as ionic strength, contact time, volume mass ratio.     

Extraction-separation of Eu(III) and Th(IV) ions from nitrate media into a room-temperature ionic liquid

Application of a room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C₄mim⁺][PF₆ ^?]), in the extraction of Eu(III) and Th(IV) ions from nitrate media using tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) as extractant is investigated. The results are compared with those obtained in dichloromethane. It is shown that the europium ions are extracted via a solvation mechanism by formation of [Eu(TOPO) ₃ ³⁺ ](NO₃ ^?)₃ species in both [C₄mim⁺][PF₆ ^?] and dichloromethane. Nevertheless, application of the studied RTIL makes a significant improvement in the extraction efficiency of europium ions. A different attitude was observed for the extraction of thorium ions. In fact, although the analysis of the extraction data of these ions from sodium nitrate solutions confirms the formation of [Th(TOPO) ₃ ⁴⁺ ](NO₃ ^?)₄ species in dichloromethane, the extraction of these ions into the ionic liquid was not affected by the presence of TOPO. This latter outcome states the process takes place by a cation-exchange mechanism. It is found that the extraction of thorium ions diminishes in the presence of nitric acid. Interestingly, in contrast to the results observed in the extraction of thorium ions from sodium nitrate solutions, TOPO shows a co-operative effect on the extraction of these ions from nitric acid media. This allows considering the mechanism of the extraction of Th⁴⁺ ions from nitric acid media as a mixed ion exchange-solvation mechanisms by formation of [Th(TOPO)⁴⁺](NO₃ ^?)(PF₆ ^?)₃ species.     

Synthesis of magnetic graphene oxide nanoribbons composite for the removal of Th(IV) from aqueous solutions

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Functionalized magnetic graphene oxide nanoribbons (MGONRs) composite material was synthesized by hydrothermal treatment method using graphene...     

Enhanced removal of U(VI) from aqueous solution by chitosan-modified zeolite

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - A typical type of natural zeolite(Z) modified with chitosan was applied to remove U(VI) from aqueous solution. Batch experiments were performed to...     

Sorption and desorption of Eu(III) on alumina

Summary Effects of ionic strength and of fulvic acid on the sorption of Eu(III) on alumina were investigated by using a batch technique. The experiments were carried out at T=25±1 °C, pH 4-6 and in the presence of 1M NaCl. The results indicate that sorption isotherms of Eu(III) are linear at low pH values. The sorption-desorption of Eu(III) on alumina at pH 4.4 is reversible, but a sorption-desorption hysteresis is found at pH 5.0. Fulvic acid has an obvious positive effect on the sorption of Eu(III) on alumina at low pH values. The migration of Eu(III) in alumina was studied by using column experiments and ^152+154Eu(III) radiotracer at pH 3.8. For column experiments, Eu(III) sorbed on alumina can be desorbed completely from the solid surface at low pH values. The findings are relevant to the evaluation of lanthanide and actinide ions in the environment.     

Sorption of Eu(III) by amorphous titania, anatase and rutile

Sorption of Eu(III), an analogue of trivalent actinides (Am, Cm), by amorphous titania as well as different crystalline phases of titania, namely anatase and rutile, have been studied as a function of pH, using ¹⁵⁴Eu (half life?=?8.8 yrs, E_???=?123,247?keV) as a radiotracer. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the crystalline phase of the titania on their sorption behaviour towards the metal ion. Amorphous titania was prepared by organic route and was converted into anatase and rutile by heating at elevated temperatures based on the differential thermal analysis studies. Eu(III) sorption by all forms of titania rises sharply with the pH of the suspension, with the sorption edge shifting to higher value in the order; amorphous?<?anatase?<?rutile. However, the normalization of the sorption data to the surface area of the sorbents resulted in the overlapping of the sorption curves for amorphous and anatase phases, with the data being higher for rutle in the lower pH region, indicating the effect of the crystal phase on sorption behaviour of Eu(III).     

Sorption of phosphate ions on iron(III), zirconium(IV), and chromium(III) oxyhydroxides from aqueous electrolyte solutions

The adsorption of phosphate ions from aqueous solutions with an ionic strength of 0.5 on iron(III), zirconium(IV), and chromium(III) oxyhydroxide hydrogels has been studied as influenced by chloride and sulfate ions. Despite the high concentrations of chloride and sulfate ions, they do not inhibit phosphate adsorption on the hydrogels; they only slightly change the isotherm shape. In the range of equilibrium phosphate concentrations equal to 30–50 mmol/l, all isotherms for iron and zirconium oxyhydroxide gels signify the appearance of a second adsorption layer (two-step isotherms). Both steps are satisfactorily fitted by the Langmuir equation. The maximum adsorptions and adsorption constants have been calculated. For chromium oxyhydroxide gels, the intraduction of an electrolyte dramatically decreases the equilibration rate.     

Recovery of Th(IV) from aqueous solution by reassembled collagen-tannin fiber adsorbent

A novel adsorbent, collagen immobilized tannin adsorbent (CITA), was prepared and its adsorption behaviors to Th(IV) were investigated. CITA was in fibrous state due to the reassembly of collagen molecules by the inducement of tannin. This adsorbent loaded a greater amount of tannin and exhibited higher adsorption capacity to Th(IV) than the tannin immobilized adsorbent prepared from collagen fiber. The adsorption of CITA to Th(IV) is mainly attributed to surface complexation, which is a pH- rather than an ionic strength-dependent process. The adsorption kinetics and isotherms were described by pseudo-second-order rate model and Freundlich equation, respectively. Column adsorption studies indicated that CITA is available for effectively recovering Th(IV) from aqueous solution.     

The effect of previous gamma-irradiation on the extraction of U(VI), Th(IV), Zr(IV), Eu(III) and Am(III) by various amides

The extraction behavior of U(VI), Th(IV), Zr(IV), Eu(III) and Am(III) from 3.5M nitric acid with a series of gamma-pre-irradiated symmetrical and unsymmetrical monoamides in benzene has been investigated up to a dose of 100 Mrad. The results indicated that the radiolytic stability is influenced by the structure of amides. Symmetrical monoamides seem to be less affected by radiation compared with unsymmetrical monoamides. Infrared studies identify the final products of radiolysis as the respective carboxylic acids and amines. The radiolytic degradation of the investigated monoamides has been estimated by quantitative IR spectroscopy. Extraction data obtained under similar experimental conditions for U(VI), Th(IV) and Zr(IV) with the TBP/benzene system have also been compared. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Sorption of Eu(III) on GMZ bentonite in the absence/presence of humic acid studied by batch and XAFS techniques

Bentonite has been extensively studied because of its strong sorption ability and low permeability. In this work, the Na-bentonite from Gaomiaozi County (China) has been characterized by XRD, FTIR and acid-base titration. The sorption of Eu(III) on Na-bentonite in the absence/presence of humic acid (HA) was studied at T = 25 ± 2 °C and in 0.01 mol/L NaClO₄ solution. The effects of pH, HA, contact time and initial Eu(III) concentrations were also investigated. The results indicate that the sorption of Eu(III) on Na-bentonite was dependent on pH values. The presence of HA had little effect on Eu(III) sorption at low pH values, but decreased Eu(III) sorption at high pH values. X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (XAFS) was applied to characterize the local structural environment of the adsorbed Eu(III) on bare Na-bentonite and HA-bentonite hybrids. The results indicate that Eu(III) was bound to O atoms at a distance of about 2.39 Å at pH 4.15. The results are crucial for the evaluation of the sorption and migration of other trivalent lanthanides and actinides in bentonite as backfill materials.     

Sorption of praseodymium(III) ions from aqueous solutions by a natural clinoptilolite-containing tuff

The equilibrium and kinetics of sorption of praseodymium(III) ions from sulfate solutions by a natural clinoptilolite-containing tuff are studied. It is shown that praseodymium is completely extracted from dilute solutions (<0.002 M). The kinetic parameters of the sorption process are determined.