Eu(III) adsorption on rutile: Batch experiments and modeling

Eu(III) adsorption on rutile was investigated as a function of contact time, pH, ionic strength and Eu(III) concentration by using a batch experimental method. The effects of carbonate, sulfate, and phosphate were also studied. It was found that the kinetics of Eu(III) adsorption on rutile could be described by a pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption of Eu(III) on rutile is strongly pH-dependent, but relatively insensitive to ionic strength. A double layer model (DLM) with two inner-sphere Eu(III) surface complexes was applied to quantitatively interpret the adsorption of Eu(III) on rutile. There were no apparent effects of carbonate and sulfate on Eu(III) adsorption, whereas the presence of phosphate promoted Eu(III) adsorption on rutile. The surface complexes of Eu(III) on rutile were evidenced by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).