Comparative study on sorption of radiocobalt to montmorillonite and its Al-pillared and cross-linked samples: Effect of pH, ionic strength and fulvic acid

Th(IV) Adsorption onto Oxidized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in the Presence of Hydroxylated Fullerene and Carboxylated Fullerene

The adsorption of Th(IV) onto the surface of oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (oMWCNTs) in the absence and presence of hydroxylated fullerene (C₆₀(OH)_n) and carboxylated fullerene (C₆₀(C(COOH)₂)_n) has been investigated. C₆₀(OH)_n, C₆₀(C(COOH)₂)_n and oMWCNTs have been chosen as model phases because of their representative in carbon nano-materials family. Adsorption experiments were performed by batch procedure as a function of contact time, pH, ionic strength, and temperature. The results demonstrated that the adsorption of Th(IV) was rapidly reached equilibrium and the kinetic process could be described by a pseudo-second-order rate model very well. Th(IV) adsorption on oMWCNTs was dependent on pH but independent on ionic strength. Adsorption isotherms were correlated better with the Langmuir model than with the Freundlich model. The thermodynamic parameters calculated from temperature-dependent adsorption isotherms suggested that Th(IV) adsorption on oMWCNTs was spontaneous and endothermic. Compared with the adsorption of Th(IV) on the same oMWCNTs free of C₆₀(OH)_n or C₆₀(C(COOH)₂)_n, the study of a ternary system showed the inhibition effect of C₆₀(OH)_n at high concentration on the adsorption of Th(IV) in a pH range from neutral to slightly alkaline; whereas the promotion effect of C₆₀(C(COOH)₂)_n, even at its low concentration, on Th(IV) adsorption was observed in acid medium.