Studies on a synthetic sitinakite-type silicotitanate cation exchanger. Part 2. Effect of alkaline earth and alkali metals on the uptake of Cs and Sr radioisotopes

A commercially available synthetic silicotitanate (IONSIV® IE-911), with a sitinakite-like structure, is a candidate material for the remediation of aqueous nuclear waste streams. These streams often vary in both cation composition and cation concentration. Commonly Na, K, Mg, Ca and Ba are present, and sodium is the most prevalent with barium present at much lower concentrations. Batch experiments to measure distribution coefficients (Kd) have been carried out to monitor the effect of these cations on the removal of the fission products Cs and Sr from simulated aqueous waste streams relevant to their remediation prior to release to the environment.