Removal of radionuclide Sr2+ ions from aqueous solution using synthesized magnetic chitosan beads

Strontium-90 is one of the main fission products, existing in the radioactive wastes produced in nuclear power plant. In this paper, a novel magnetic chitosan beads were synthesized, characterized and applied for removal of Sr2+ ions from aqueous solution. The SEM analysis indicated that the magnetic beads were in regular spherical geometry with about 1 mm diameter. The XRD and EDS analysis revealed that the chitosan beads were magnetic and can be used for the magnetic separation. The influencing factors of Sr2+ sorption onto magnetic chitosan beads were studied, including contact time, initial pH value, initial Sr2+concentration and sorbent dosage. The maximum adsorption capacity (qm) of Sr2+ was calculated to be 11.58 mg/g using the Langmuir isotherm. The kinetic data were analyzed by intra particle diffusion model. The FT-IR study revealed that –NH2 was mainly involved in Sr2+ sorption by magnetic chitosan beads.

► A novel magnetic chitosan beads were prepared and applied for removing Sr2+.
► The maximum adsorption capacity (qm) of Sr2+ was calculated to be 11.58 mg/g using the Langmuir isotherm.
► The FT-IR study revealed that –NH2 was mainly involved in Sr2+ sorption.