Electrochemical synthesis and immobilization of a beadwork-like Prussian Blue on carbon fiber and the removal of cesium

Beadwork-like Prussian blue (PB) crystals were immobilized on a carbon fiber (CF) surface using an electrochemical modification method. The modification condition of PB on CF was investigated by changing the applied potential and modification time. Potentials from 0.35 V to 0.5 V provided a stable deposition of PB on the CF sheet. The PB-modified CF (PB-CF) was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic mapping. The SEM images of the PB-CF prepared at potentials of 0.2 V and 0.35 V showed a beadwork-like structure. In contrast, PB formed an island structure on CF at potentials of 0.5 V and 0.6 V. The adsorption ability of PB-CF for Cs ions was estimated at different pH values and for different modification potentials. The adsorption ratios for 5 ppm Cs+ were about 60% at pH 1 for 48 h, and more than 90% at pH 5.6. The adsorption ability of PB-CF remained under basic conditions. The specific structure of PB-CF was useful to adsorb Cs+ from solutions at a wide range of pH values.