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Remediation of 137Cs radionuclide in nuclear waste effluents by polymer composite: adsorption kinetics, isotherms and gamma irradiation studies

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Abstract

Polypyrrole is incorporated with activated carbon in large size dopant solution and investigated for 137Cs removal studies. Adsorption experiments showed optimum conditions within 240 min contact time, pH 6, 0.2 g adsorbent and ≤ 100 mg/l adsorbate dose, respectively, while the kinetic data followed pseudo-first-order model. Isotherm data were reproducible by the Langmuir isotherm yielding 23 mg/g maximum sorption capacity. Regeneration of adsorbent was attempted and indicated promising results within three cycles. The surface behavior has also been examined and revealed a well-ordered structure under gamma irradiation. This is a cheap adsorbent to consider and has also proven to possess higher sorption capacity than most highly-cost inorganic materials in use.

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Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the financial support of the University of Malaya for the research (Grant No. PG027-2014A).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Applied Radiation Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Michael A. Olatunji, Mayeen U. Khandaker & Yusoff Md. Amin

  2. Center for Radiation Sciences, School of Healthcare and Medical Sciences, Sunway University, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia

    Mayeen U. Khandaker

  3. Polymer Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Ekramul H. N. M. Mahmud

  4. Department of Physics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Janet A. Ademola

  5. Department of Physics, University of Lagos, Akoka-Yaba, Nigeria

    Deborah O. Olorode

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  1. Michael A. Olatunji
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Correspondence to Michael A. Olatunji.

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Olatunji, M.A., Khandaker, M.U., Mahmud, E.H.N.M. et al. Remediation of 137Cs radionuclide in nuclear waste effluents by polymer composite: adsorption kinetics, isotherms and gamma irradiation studies. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 316, 933–945 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-018-5875-4

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