The effect of gamma-ray irradiation on the sorptive properties of hydrous SiO2 and ZrO2

The sorption capacities of hydrous SiO₂ and ZrO₂ for the Zn(ammine) ion have been observed to increase on irradiation with γ-rays, by ca. 4.1 and 3.8%, respectively. The rates of sorption increase differently in the irradiated exchangers, depending upon their characteristic natures; e. g. when the external concentration of the Zn(ammine) solution is 0.2M, the increase in the F value due to irradiation is more striking in the case of SiO₂ than for ZrO₂. On the other hand, at a lower external concentration of the Zn(ammine) solution (0.01M), the increase in the F value, particularly during the first five minutes, is more significant for ZrO₂.