Removal of 137Cs and 90Sr from simulated low-level radioactive waste using tin(IV) vanadate sorbent and its potential hazardous parameters

This study is concerned with the sorption of 137Cs and/or 90Sr from low-level radioactive waste using tin(IV) vanadate (SnV) sorbent fabricated by the precipitation technique. The structure and properties of SnV were studied using different analytical tools such as X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Fourier-transform infrared, and scanning electron microscopy. Batch technique was used to investigate the sorption behavior of SnV towards 137Cs and/or 90Sr considering the influence of independent parameters including pH of the solution, contact time, and initial metal ions concentrations in simulation studies using the γ emitting isotopes 134Cs and 85Sr as representatives of 137Cs and 90Sr, respectively. The sorption efficiency values of 70.3% and 92.2% were respectively obtained for 134Cs and 85Sr at optimum conditions (pH = 6, Ci = 100 mg/L, and time = 120 min). The amount sorbed (mg/g) increases by increasing pH and temperatures. The pseudo-2nd-order kinetic is a reaction command. Isotherm is more relevant to a Langmuir at different reaction temperatures. The sorption process was endothermic and spontaneous. The adsorption efficiency of the composite material was studied in removing both cesium and strontium nuclides from real low-level radioactive waste. This study showed that the new material can be used as a promising material to retain 137Cs and 90Sr from real radioactive waste. •Tin(IV) vanadate sorbent (SnV) was synthesized.•The distribution coefficient of 134Cs and/or 85Sr as a function of pH.•Thermodynamics was endothermic and spontaneous.•SnV was used for the removal of 137Cs and/or 90Sr from real radioactive waste.