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Kinetic and isotherm analysis for selective thorium(IV) retrieval from aqueous environment using eco-friendly cellulose composite

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Abstract

Thorium reclamation was studied using nano-iron oxide-impregnated cellulose acetate beads to gain insights into the adsorption mechanism, kinetics and thermodynamics. The designed experiments were thoroughly investigated as a function of solution pH, initial thorium(IV) ion concentration, adsorbent dose and nano-iron oxide loading in the cellulose acetate matrix. The batch adsorption of Th(IV) ions revealed the highly pH dependent (pH range 3.0–9.0) behaviour with maximum sorption at pH 6.0 and equilibrium being achieved within 2 h for maximum concentration of 100 mg/L at 298 K. Rapid adsorption of 50 ± 0.2 % was observed within first 10 min. The kinetics data are best described by the pseudo-first-order kinetic model (R 2 = 0.9996) and intraparticle diffusion model. The equilibrium adsorption process was fitted with the Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich and Temkin models which yield good fit with Langmuir isotherm equation indicating monolayer adsorption process. The calculated thermodynamics parameter reveals spontaneous and exothermic adsorption process. Further, the desorption was Th(IV) ions that was easily achieved using 0.05 N HNO3 which suggests the reusability of the adsorbent for multiple use.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Vice Chancellor Dr. Prahlada, DIAT (DU), for his support and help extended for this research activities; and Dr. O. Prakash (Ex-Head, Department of Ceramic Engineering, IIT (BHU), Varanasi), Dr. R. Pyare (Head, Department of Ceramic Engineering, IIT (BHU), Varanasi) and Dr. P. Maiti (Coordinator, School of Materials Science & Technology, IIT (BHU), Varanasi) for the internship and thereby giving us an opportunity to work at DIAT. We would also thank Dr. Renuka R. Gonte, Nitish (VIT, Vellore), Fuhar Dixit and Tushar Sahetya (IIT-BHU) for their continued technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ceramic Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, 221005, India

    P. D. Bhalara

  2. School of Material Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, 221005, India

    D. Punetha

  3. Department of Materials Engineering, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DU), Ministry of Defence, Girinagar, Pune, 411025, India

    K. Balasubramanian

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Bhalara, P.D., Punetha, D. & Balasubramanian, K. Kinetic and isotherm analysis for selective thorium(IV) retrieval from aqueous environment using eco-friendly cellulose composite. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 12, 3095–3106 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-014-0682-0

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