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Investigation of thorium (IV) adsorptive behavior onto functionalized magnetite nanoparticles

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Abstract

The potential of magnetite nanoparticles functionalized with oleic acid (MNPOA) and bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)dithiophosphinic acid (MNPDTPA) as efficient thorium adsorbents were evaluated. The experimental factors that control thorium adsorption capacity, e.g. pH, adsorption time, thorium initial concentration, and temperature were investigated. The adsorption data of both adsorbents fitted best to pseudo-first-order and Freundlich models. Maximum adsorption capacity at 25 °C was 370 and 454 mg g−1 for MNPOA and MNPDTPA, respectively. Temperature dependency of thorium adsorption and thermodynamics parameters were investigated. The results declared the spontaneity, feasibility, and exothermic nature of the adsorption process demonstrating that MNPOA and MNPDTPA can be used as economic alternatives for the efficient thorium removal from aqueous solutions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority, P.O. Box 11762, Cairo, Egypt

    Zeinab F. Akl

  2. Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, P. O. Box 11566, Cairo, Egypt

    A. Ezat

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Correspondence to Zeinab F. Akl.

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Akl, Z.F., Ezat, A. Investigation of thorium (IV) adsorptive behavior onto functionalized magnetite nanoparticles. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 328, 1291–1300 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-021-07729-5

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