Gamma radiation-induced polymerization of polyacrylic acid-dolomite composite and applications for removal of cesium, cobalt, and zirconium from aqueous solutions

Gamma-irradiation initiated polymerization was utilized to prepare polyacrylic acid dolomite P(AA/D) nanocomposites. Different analytical techniques have been applied to investigate the structure of the new materials. XRD and TEM revealed the crystalline phase with an average particle size ranging from 2 to 4 nm. The ability of the prepared materials to remove cesium, cobalt, and zirconium ions from aqueous solutions was evaluated. The adsorption capacity of studied nanocomposites has an affinity sequence; Zr4+>Co2+≫Cs+ with values 77.8, 72.4, and 34.9 mg/g respectively. The effect of the interfering species reveals that the rate of adsorption of cesium, cobalt, and zirconium ions decreases with increasing concentrations of the interfering species. The investigation proved that the prepared nanocomposite is suitable material for the removal of the studied metals from aqueous solutions and could be considered as potential material for purification of effluent polluted with these metal ions. [Display omitted] •Gamma radiation at 25 kGy was used for the preparation of P(AA/D).•P(AA/D) was used for removal of some toxic ions such as; Cs+, Co2+, and Zr4+ and the capacity have affinity sequence; Zr4+ > Co2+>> Cs+.•The effect of interfering ions such as; (citric acid, boric acid, and sodium nitrate) on the retention of investigated cations revealed that the adsorption process was decreased by increasing interfering species concentrations.