Enhanced cesium removal from real matrices by nickel-hexacyanoferrate modified activated carbons. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vanderheyden, S.R.H.; Yperman, J.; Carleer, R.; Schreurs, S.
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 202(2018)
• Page Start: 569
• Page End: 575
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Activated carbon -- Brewer's spent grain -- Adsorption -- Cesium -- Hexacyanoferrate; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.03.096
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: After nuclear disasters, radioactive cesium partitions to soils and surface water, where it decays slowly. Hexacyanoferrates (HCFs) have excellent cesium removal properties but their structure is typically powdery. Many carrier materials, such as biomass or magnetic particles, have been used to provide a suitable substrate for HCFs that can be used in filters. This research uses the sorption properties of activated carbon (AC) to incorporate Ni-HCF, resulting in good structural properties of the hybrid material. These HCF-modified ACs show drastically improved sorption properties towards Cs after one, two and three HCF impregnation cycles. The activated carbon from brewer's spent grain with one modification cycle removes more than 80% of 1 mg L −1 Cs in a sea water solution and more than 98% of 1 mg L −1 Cs from surface water at a low AC dosage (0.5 g L −1 ). Iron and nickel leaching is studied and found to be dependent on the type of modified AC used and the leaching solution. Iron leaching can be problematic in surface and seawater, whereas nickel leaching is especially pronounced in seawater. Highlights: An easy modification of activated carbons with nickel-hexacyanoferrates is tested. Adsorption of cesium by these hybrid materials is very efficient. Cesium is efficiently removed from sea water. Leaching of nickel and iron should be monitored to ensure environmental safety.