Ion exchange/adsorption properties of crystalline compound of anatase and rutile

The crystallinely hydrous titanium dioxide, H₄Ti₃O₈, was synthesized by heating amorphous titanium hydroxide at 80°C for 12 hours. XRD, TGA and pH titration were employed to characterize the prepared crystal. The studies on acid, base and radiation stabilities of the crystal demonstrate the reliability of this type of ion exchange material for treating radioactive nuclear wastes. The uranyl ions are so much preferred by the crystal that the complexation of uranyl and chloride ions in solution phase is completely destructed. The uptake of uranium on the crystal is remarkably sensitive to the solution pH. Plot of log/K_D of the uranium on the crystal vs. equilibrium pH generates a series of lines with the mean slope of 0.40, which is the verification of sophisticated loading mechanisms in H/UO ₂ ²⁺ reaction.