Journal article
Selective Th(IV) separation and immobilization by one-dimensional lepidocrocite titanate
Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996), v 505, 159619
Jan 2025
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Abstract
Titanate nanomaterials have been widely explored for the effective removal of heavy metals and radionuclide ions from environmental wastewater, leveraging their high specific surface areas (SSAs) and ion exchange capacities. In this study, quantum confined, one-dimensional lepidocrocite titanate hierarchical structures (THSs) incorporating exchangeable Li+ or tetramethylammonium (TMA+), cations were prepared using an organic alkali conversion strategy suitable for large-scale production. These unique adsorbents were tested for the efficient capture and separation of thorium, Th(IV). The adsorption process is endothermic and spontaneous, and weakly dependent on ionic strength. Batch adsorption experiments revealed that the maximum adsorption capacity of THSs for Th(IV) reached 292 mg/g at pH 2.5. THSs demonstrated superior ion selectivity for Th(IV) over uranyl ions and rare earth ions, achieving a Th(IV)/U(VI) separation factor of up to 722. In the context of treating simulated rare earth ore leachates, the corresponding Th(IV) adsorption rate and Kd values were recorded at 98.4 % and 1.52 × 105 mL/g, respectively. Spectroscopic analyses, including XPS and EXAFS, complemented by DFT calculations, substantiated that Th(IV) interacts stably with the oxygen-containing terminations on the surface of the THSs, primarily through the formation of inner-sphere complexations. Sintering of Th-loaded THSs led to the formation of stable ThTi2O6 phases, facilitating the complete immobilization of Th(IV) within the lattice, with a leaching rate of less than 0.05 % under highly acidic conditions. Overall, THSs demonstrate significant potential for the efficient purification of Th-containing wastewater from rare earth mines, as well as for the secure geological disposal of the resultant waste.
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Details
- Title
- Selective Th(IV) separation and immobilization by one-dimensional lepidocrocite titanate
- Creators
- Jiafeng OuyangHussein O. BadrJunlong XiebinYang YangLin WangYang LiuHaowei TuDadong ShaoZijie LiLiyong YuanMichel W. BarsoumWeiqun Shi
- Publication Details
- Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996), v 505, 159619
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 15
- Grant note
- National Natural Science Foundation of China: 22176190, U2067212, 12475354, 22276193 Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS: 2021010 National Science Foundation: DMR-2211319
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 22176190, U2067212, 12475354, 22276193) and Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS (2021010) . This work was also supported by the National Science Foundation, (DMR-2211319) . We are grateful to the staff of Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility (BSRF) for EXAFS and XANES measurement.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001408937700001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85215539656
- Other Identifier
- 991022019599804721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Engineering, Chemical
- Engineering, Environmental