Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been shown to exhibit myriad chemical abilities. CNT materials are similar to activated carbon, but their regularized molecular structure has the potential for greater engineered control. An intriguing application is the removal and possible sequestration of radionuclides from nuclear plant waste streams. In this issue’s Viewpoint, researchers from three European research institutes overview the chemistry to date involving CNT materials interacting with radionuclides. In so doing, they sound a call to the environmental and materials research communities to further investigate the potential of functionalized CNTs and/or composites made from this novel substance.
The biosorption of Ce(III) from aqueous solution by citric acid-modified Pinus brutia leaf powder was studied in a batch system as a function of initial pH, temperature, initial concentration of adsorbate, and contact time. Central composite design method was used in the experiments. Thermodynamic parameters such as standard enthalpy (DH 0 ), entropy (DS 0 ), and free energy (DG 0 ) were calculated, and the results indicated that biosorption was exothermic. The biosorption of Ce(III) on modified Pinus brutia leaf powder was investigated by Freundlich, Langmuir, and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms. The results show that Ce(III) adsorption can be explained by Langmuir isotherm model, and monolayer capacity was found as 62.1 mg/g. The results suggested that the modification process enhances the biosorption capacity of the adsorbent, and modified Pinus brutia leaf powder may find promising applications for the recovery of Ce(III) from aqueous effluents.
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