Synthesis of crystalline silico titanate using anatase as the titanium precursor

• Published in: Separation science and technology Vol. 60; no. 12; pp. 1566 - 1574
• Main Authors: Raghavendra, Y., Bhaskarapillai, Anupkumar, Rufus, A. L., Mohan, T. V. Krishna, Achary, S. N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 13.08.2025
• Subjects: CST; decontamination; ion exchange; Nuclear waste management; radioactive strontium and cesium; titanosilicate
• ISSN: 0149-6395; 1520-5754
• DOI: 10.1080/01496395.2025.2505908

This manuscript reports a convenient and environmentally benign method for the synthesis of Crystalline SilicoTitanate (CST). Crystalline silicotitanate is a well-known ion-exchanger with high affinity toward Cs + and Sr 2+ . However, its wide usage is limited due to its stringent synthesis procedures involving the use of unstable titanium precursors such as titanium tetrachloride or titanium isopropoxide. Herein, we demonstrate an optimized procedure for the preparation of CST using anatase. Several trial experiments were carried out by varying the initial stoichiometry of the reactant mixture as well as post processing of the products. The products obtained were characterized by XRD and SEM-EDX, and the ion-exchange properties like isotherm and uptake kinetics were studied for Cs + and Sr 2+ . The exchange capacity of the prepared CST samples for Cs + and Sr 2+ were 0.35 mmol/g and 1.43 mmol/g, respectively. CST phase could be synthesized from anatase by a simple and green process Post treatment of hydrothermal reaction products improves the phase purity of CST Prepared CST losses water of hydration up to 300 °C The ion exchange of CST for Cs + follow a stepwise exchange process Kinetics of Cs + exchange is extremely fast compared to that for Sr 2+