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Strontium adsorption on tantalum-doped hexagonal tungsten oxide
Xingliang Li1, Wanjun Mu2, Xiang Xie2
1Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Physics, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, PR China; Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, PR China.
Journal of Hazardous Materials
|December 10, 2013
Summary
Tantalum-doped hexagonal tungsten oxide (hex-WO3) significantly enhances strontium (Sr(2+)) adsorption from nuclear waste. This improved material offers a promising solution for radioactive strontium removal, demonstrating spontaneous and efficient uptake.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Chemistry
- Nuclear Engineering
Background:
- Hexagonal tungsten oxide (hex-WO3) shows potential for separating radioactive isotopes like Cesium-137 ((137)Cs) and Strontium-90 ((90)Sr) from nuclear waste.
- Improving the adsorption capacity of hex-WO3 for strontium is crucial for effective radioactive waste management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the strontium ion (Sr(2+)) adsorption capacity of hexagonal tungsten oxide (hex-WO3).
- To investigate the structural and electronic properties of tantalum-doped hex-WO3 (Ta-doped hex-WO3) and its effect on Sr(2+) adsorption.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of Ta-doped hex-WO3 via hydrothermal treatment of sodium tungstate dihydrate and tantalum chloride in concentrated HCl with ammonium sulfate.
- Characterization of the synthesized material to analyze structural changes, including interlayer spacing and band gap.
- Adsorption experiments to determine Sr(2+) uptake capacity, equilibrium time, optimal pH, and adsorption modeling (Langmuir vs. Freundlich).
Main Results:
- Incorporation of tantalum into the hex-WO3 framework expanded interlayer spacing and shifted the band gap to higher energy.
- Ta-doped hex-WO3 exhibited significantly higher Sr(2+) adsorption capacity compared to undoped hex-WO3.
- Sr(2+) adsorption equilibrium was reached within 2 hours in acidic solutions, with maximum removal at pH 4.
- The Freundlich model provided a better fit for Sr(2+) uptake than the Langmuir model, indicating multilayer adsorption.
- Sr(2+) adsorption onto hex-WO3 was a spontaneous process under the experimental conditions.
Conclusions:
- Tantalum doping is an effective strategy to enhance the Sr(2+) adsorption capacity of hex-WO3.
- Ta-doped hex-WO3 demonstrates high efficiency and spontaneity for Sr(2+) removal from acidic solutions.
- This material presents a viable option for the selective separation of radioactive strontium from nuclear power plant and fission production waste.
