Efficient removal of cesium and strontium from an aqueous solution using a zirconosilicate/vanadium oxide nanocomposite

Abstract

Here, we have reported a simple and one-step hydrothermal method for preparing a highly uniform sodium zirconosilicate mesoporous sorbent supported with vanadium oxide nanoparticles (VO₂). The results showed the formation of NPs with a surface area of 73.21 m²/g and with a particle size ranged from 67 to 80 nm. Furthermore, the proposed fabricated composite has been used to significantly remove the cesium and strontium ions from the aqueous solution by a batch method. The phase and structural characteristics of the VO₂/zirconosilicate nanocomposites were well studied by using XRD, SEM, HRTEM, and nitrogen adsorption techniques. The results showed that the cesium and strontium ions were efficiently adsorbed by mesoporous VO₂/zirconosilicate ion exchanger at a natural and wide pH ranges. Various kinetic and isotherms models have been developed to highlight the adsorption process of cesium and strontium ions. The fabricated zeolitic materials exhibited an adsorption capacity of 30.5 and 22.2 mg g⁻¹ for Cs(I) and Sr(II), respectively. The collected data showed that the synthesized VO₂/zirconosilicate has the maximum potential to properly remove Cs(I) and Sr(II) from the aqueous media.

Graphical abstract

A microporous VO₂/zirconosilicate nanocomposite adsorbent has been designed for efficient removal of cesium and strontium from contaminated samples. The synthesized nanocomposite indicated a highly ability to remove Cs(I) and Sr(II) ions in ultra-dilute solutions.

Keywords:

• Zeolite
• zirconosilicate
• cesium
• strontium
• radioactive waste
• adsorption

Additional information

Funding

This project was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR) at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, under grant no. (G: 195-247-1441). The authors, therefore, acknowledge with thanks DSR for technical and financial support.