Removal of cesium ions from A-type zeolites using sodium tetrakis(4-fluorophenyl)borate and sodium tetraphenylborate

With the ultimate aim of reducing the volume of radioactive-cesium-contaminated soil generated by the nuclear power plant accident in Fukushima Prefecture in 2011, this study focuses on the desorption of Cs + ions from minerals that strongly adsorb Cs + , such as clay, using the ion-association reagents sodium tetrakis(4-fluorophenyl)borate hydrate (NaTFPB) and sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) under mild conditions. A-type zeolite was selected as a representative aluminosilicate mineral with a high cesium adsorption capacity. NaTFPB exhibits stronger hydrophobic interactions with Cs + and improved Cs + compared to NaTPB; a desorption efficiency of 89.4% was achieved at a 10:1 NaTFPB/cesium molar ratio. Graphic abstract