Selective cleaning of ions of heavy metals from water solutions using the H-form of todorokite synthesized by the hydrothermal method

A phase of Mg-todorokite with a size of structural tunnels of ～10 Å has been synthesized by the hydrothermal method in the form of lamellar crystalline aggregates 50–100 nm in size. Topotactic interaction with concentrated nitric acid results in the formation of the H-form of todorokite, having a high ability to adsorb Cs⁺, Pb²⁺, and Ba²⁺ ions from water solutions. H-todorokite can be used as an ion filter for cleaning ions of heavy metals from water solutions.