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Sorption of long-lived 94Nb on magnetite: spectroscopic and electrochemical investigation of the associated mechanism

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Abstract

The sorption study of long lived 94Nb isotope on magnetite was carried out in the pH range of 1–10, both in aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The present study is focused to understand the mechanism behind the sorption and to predict the role of magnetite in retarding the migration of the radionuclide. The sorption mechanism and the role of Fe(II) site of magnetite were investigated using solvent extraction, cyclic voltammetry, X-ray photoelectron and absorption spectroscopy. Insignificant difference in the sorption pattern and percentage sorption under aerobic and anaerobic conditions suggests similar sorption mechanism in both conditions. The oxidation states of Nb and Fe of magnetite remained unchanged after sorption process. In acidic medium, the sorption mainly occurs via ion exchange whereas in neutral/basic medium via covalent bond formation of Nb with magnetite.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Analytical Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India

    M. Ghosh, M. K. Dey & K. K. Swain

  2. Atomic and Molecular Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India

    A. K. Yadav

  3. Technical Physics Division, Bhabah Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India

    A. K. Debnath

  4. Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India

    K. K. Swain

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  1. M. Ghosh
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Contributions

MG: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Writing-original draft. AKY: Investigation, Data interpretation, Writing-review & editing. AKD: Investigation, Data interpretation. MKD: Investigation, Data interpretation. KKS: Supervision, Resources, Writing-review & editing.

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Correspondence to K. K. Swain.

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Ghosh, M., Yadav, A.K., Debnath, A.K. et al. Sorption of long-lived 94Nb on magnetite: spectroscopic and electrochemical investigation of the associated mechanism. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 332, 1969–1979 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-023-08867-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-023-08867-8

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