Synthesis of organically templated nanoporous Tin(II/IV) phosphate for radionuclide and metal sequestration

Nanoporous tin(II/IV) phosphate materials, with spherical morphology, have been synthesized using cetyltrimethylammonium chloride [CH3(CH2)15N(CH3)3Cl] as the surfactant. The structure of the material is stable at 500 degrees C; however, partial oxidation of the material occurs with redox conversion of Sn2+ to Sn4+, resulting in a mixed Sn(II)/Sn(IV) material. Preliminary batch contact studies were conducted to assess the effectiveness of nanoporous tin phosphate, NP-SnPO, in sequestering redox-sensitive metals and radionuclides, technetium(VII), neptunium(V), thorium(IV), and a toxic metal, chromium(VI), from aqueous matrixes. Results indicate that tin(II) phosphate removed >95% of all contaminants investigated from solution.