Removal of Sr and Cs Ions in Aqueous Solution by PVC-Zeolite Composite

Abstract

PVC-Zeolite composite was prepared by immobilizing zeolite with polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The prepared PVC-Zeolite beads were characterized by using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), thermo gravimetric analyzer (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The removal properties of Sr and Cs ions from aqueous solution were investigated in batch experiment. The removal efficiencies of Sr and Cs ions by the PVC-Zeolite beads were dependent on the initial pH of solution. The removal efficiencies sharply increased at below pH 4 and was kept constant at pH 4 or more. The adsorption kinetics of Sr and Cs ions by the PVC-Zeolite beads were fitted well by the pseudosecond-order model (r 2 >0.99) more than pseudo-first-order model. The maximum adsorption capacities of Sr and Cs ions calculated from Langmuir isotherm model were 39.37 mg/g and 55.87 mg/g, respectively.