Journal of Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology (JONSAT)
In cooperation with the Iranian Nuclear Society

Sorption of Uranium(VI) and Thorium(IV) Ions from Aqueous Solutions by Nano Particle of Ion Exchanger SnO2

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

A Nilchi
S Rasouli Garmarodi
T Shariati Dehaghan
Abstract
Due to the extensive use of nuclear energy and its replacement for fossil fuels in recent decades, the radioactive waste production has increased enormously. The vast majority of the radioactive wastes products, are in the liquid form and consequently their treatment is of great importance. In this paper, tin oxide with nano-structure has been synthesized as an absorbent by the homogenous sedimentation method in the presence of urea, so as to adsorb uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) ions. The results obtained from the XRD, SEM and nitrogen adsorption/desorption analyses on the tin oxide sample showed the cassiterite structure with an average particle size of 30 nanometer and a specific surface area of 27.5 m2/g. The distribution coefficients of uranium and thorium were studied by means of batch method. The effects of different variables such as pH and time of contact between the exchanger and solution were investigated and the optimum conditions for sorption of these ions were determined.

Highlights

  1. T. Prasada Rao, P. Metilda, J. Mary Glacis, “Preconcentration techniques for uranium(VI) and thorium (IV) prior to analytical determination–an overview,” Talanta, 68, 1047–1064 (2006).

     

  2. Ch. Siva Kesava Raju, M.S. Subramanian, “Sequential separation of lanthanides, thorium and uranium using novel solid phase extraction method from high acidic nuclear wastes,” Journal of Hazardous Materials 145, 315-322 (2007).

 

  1. Ch. Siva Kesava Raju, M.S. Subramanian, “A novel solid phase extraction method for separation of actinides and lanthanides from high acidic streams,” Separation and Purification Technology, 55, 16-22 (2007).

 

  1. A. Fujiwara, Y. Kameo, A. Hoshi, T. Haraga, M. Nakashima, “Application of extraction chromatography to the separation of thorium and uranium dissolved in a solution of high salt concentration,” Journal of Chromatography, A, 1140, 163–167 (2007).

 

  1. JCPDS card of SnO2, card no. 41-1445.

 

  1. C. Liang, Y. Shimizu, T. Sasaki, N. Koshizaki, “Synthesis of Ultrafine SnO2-x Nano crystals by Pulsed Laser-Induced Reactive Quenching in Liquid Medium,” Journal of Physical Chemistry B 107, 9220-9225 (2003).

 

  1. T.P. Rao, P. Metilda, J.M. Gladis, “Preconcentration techniques for uranium (VI) and thorium (IV) prior to analytical determination,” Talanta 68, 1047-1064 (2006).

 

  1. K.A. Krau, R.W. Holmbe, “Semiannual Progress Report,” Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Chemistry Division, Oak Ridge, Tenn. April (1954).

 

  1. T.S. Anirudhan, P.G. Radhakrishnan, “Improved performance of a biomaterial-based cation exchanger for the adsorption of uranium(VI) from water and nuclear industry wastewater,” Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 100, 250–257 (2009).

 

D.K. Bhattacharyya, N.C. Dutta, A. De, “Adsorption of several tracer cations and separation of 234Th from 238U and 113mIn from 113Sn on tin dioxide,” Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemisty, 140, 121-131 (1990).

Keywords

Tin Oxide Nano-Particles
Uranium
Thorium
Homogenous Sedimentation

  1. T. Prasada Rao, P. Metilda, J. Mary Glacis, “Preconcentration techniques for uranium(VI) and thorium (IV) prior to analytical determination–an overview,” Talanta, 68, 1047–1064 (2006).

     

  2. Ch. Siva Kesava Raju, M.S. Subramanian, “Sequential separation of lanthanides, thorium and uranium using novel solid phase extraction method from high acidic nuclear wastes,” Journal of Hazardous Materials 145, 315-322 (2007).

 

  1. Ch. Siva Kesava Raju, M.S. Subramanian, “A novel solid phase extraction method for separation of actinides and lanthanides from high acidic streams,” Separation and Purification Technology, 55, 16-22 (2007).

 

  1. A. Fujiwara, Y. Kameo, A. Hoshi, T. Haraga, M. Nakashima, “Application of extraction chromatography to the separation of thorium and uranium dissolved in a solution of high salt concentration,” Journal of Chromatography, A, 1140, 163–167 (2007).

 

  1. JCPDS card of SnO2, card no. 41-1445.

 

  1. C. Liang, Y. Shimizu, T. Sasaki, N. Koshizaki, “Synthesis of Ultrafine SnO2-x Nano crystals by Pulsed Laser-Induced Reactive Quenching in Liquid Medium,” Journal of Physical Chemistry B 107, 9220-9225 (2003).

 

  1. T.P. Rao, P. Metilda, J.M. Gladis, “Preconcentration techniques for uranium (VI) and thorium (IV) prior to analytical determination,” Talanta 68, 1047-1064 (2006).

 

  1. K.A. Krau, R.W. Holmbe, “Semiannual Progress Report,” Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Chemistry Division, Oak Ridge, Tenn. April (1954).

 

  1. T.S. Anirudhan, P.G. Radhakrishnan, “Improved performance of a biomaterial-based cation exchanger for the adsorption of uranium(VI) from water and nuclear industry wastewater,” Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 100, 250–257 (2009).

 

D.K. Bhattacharyya, N.C. Dutta, A. De, “Adsorption of several tracer cations and separation of 234Th from 238U and 113mIn from 113Sn on tin dioxide,” Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemisty, 140, 121-131 (1990).

Journal of Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology (JONSAT)
Volume 33, Issue 2 - Serial Number 60
September 2012
Pages 15-21

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