Treatment of spent decontamination solutions based on citric acid with composite polyacrylonitrile: transient metal oxidic nanoparticles sorbents

• Published in: Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry Vol. 332; no. 5; pp. 1541 - 1547
• Main Authors: Fišera, Ota, Kareš, Jaroslav, Prouzová Procházková, Lenka, Čuba, Václav, Vlk, Martin, Kozempel, Ján, Fialová, Kateřina, Palušák, Martin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.05.2023; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Cesium 137; Cesium isotopes; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Citric acid; Decontamination; Diagnostic Radiology; Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; Hadrons; Heavy Ions; Inorganic acids; Inorganic Chemistry; Nanoparticles; Nickel oxides; Nuclear Chemistry; Nuclear Physics; Physical Chemistry; Polyacrylonitrile; Radioisotopes; Sorbents; Sorption; Strontium 90; Titanium dioxide; Titanium dioxide-Zirconia; Zirconium dioxide; Radioactive waste; Nanosorbents; ZrO; Decontamination solution; NiO–TiO; TiO; Citric acid
• ISSN: 0236-5731; 1588-2780
• DOI: 10.1007/s10967-022-08598-2

Composite sorbents based on the nanoparticles of NiO, NiO–TiO 2 and ZrO 2 –TiO 2 embedded in polyacrylonitrile were chosen for the treatment of spent decontamination solutions based on citric acid. Active oxidic materials were prepared by photoinduced synthesis (NiO, NiO–TiO 2 ) or hydrolytic method (ZrO 2 –TiO 2 ). Weight distribution ratios for radionuclides 241 Am, 60 Co, 137 Cs and 90 Sr/ 90 Y were investigated during the experiments performed in pH range 2–12. High sorption capacities up to 9 mmol g –1 for 137 Cs were found by sorption isotherm experiments. Dynamic experiments were carried out with simulated spent decontamination solutions containing citric acid. Elution of > 85% radionuclide waste with mineral acids or complexing agents was in 5–6 times lower volume compared to treated spent solution.