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Selective removal and immobilization of cesium from aqueous solution using sludge functionalized with potassium copper hexacyanoferrate: a low-cost adsorbent

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Abstract

As a typical effective cesium ion removal method, this research presents a facile method of preparing potassium copper hexacyanoferrate on the surface of sludge created from refinery wastewater treatment (KCuHCFS). The IR, SEM–EDX, BET, and TGA were used to characterize the functionalized sludge KCuHCFS. On the adsorption process, the effects of Cs+ concentration, adsorbent dosage, γ-radiation, pH, time, and temperature were investigated. The KCuHCFS has a large surface area of 123 m2 g−1 and a mesoporous structure that is thermally and radiationally stable. Ion exchange between Cs+ and K+ is the most common mechanism for Cs+ elimination. KCuHCFS was successfully regenerated.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank all the staff members of colleagues of Science United Arab Emirates University and Nuclear Fuel Technology Department, Hot Laboratories Centre, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority for their cooperation, and useful help offered during this work. Also, the authors extend their thanks to Prof. Muftah El-Naas for supplying the sludge and Prof. Ismail M. Ali for his valuable comments and revising this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hot Laboratories and Waste Management Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Cairo, 13759, Egypt

    Ahmed M. Soliman, Hewaida A. Madbouly & Magdy Khalil

  2. Chemistry Department, College of Science, United Arab Emirate University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates

    Ehab S. El Sheikh

  3. Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan

    Ali Massad

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  1. Ahmed M. Soliman
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  2. Hewaida A. Madbouly
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Correspondence to Magdy Khalil.

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Soliman, A.M., Madbouly, H.A., El Sheikh, E.S. et al. Selective removal and immobilization of cesium from aqueous solution using sludge functionalized with potassium copper hexacyanoferrate: a low-cost adsorbent. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 330, 207–223 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-021-07964-w

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