Sorption of plutonium from aqueous medium containing oxalate using zero-valent iron nano particles

This paper describes the sorption of plutonium from aqueous medium containing oxalate ions using zero-valent iron nano particles as sorbent. The nano material was synthesized and characterized by various methods and used for Pu sorption studies in batch mode. Different experimental parameters such as contact time, pH of the aqueous phase and free oxalate concentration etc. were varied and distribution ratios were calculated. Results showed high distribution ratios (log K d ~ 4.9) from near neutral and alkaline pH conditions of feed with equilibrium sorption capacity and rate constant values of 2.51 mg g − 1 and 15.90 × 10 4 g mg − 1 min − 1 respectively. Species formed under different pH conditions were described in detail by performing calculations in Visual MINTEQ, ver 3.1. The results showed that the nano material can be used for efficient removal of Pu from oxalate bearing aqueous waste solutions. Article highlights Efficient sorption of plutonium from oxalate containing aqueous medium by zero-valent iron nano particles. Sorption follow pseudo second order model kinetics and Freundlich’s isotherm. Speciation modeling of plutonium (IV) in oxalate medium.