LAUSR

Abstract Polyaniline/zirconium aluminate composite (PANI/ZAl) was synthesized as a novel sorbent by sol-gel hydrolysis method and characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra, Scanning Electron Microscope, X-ray Diffraction, Differential Thermal Analysis and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis. Sorption of 152+154Eu and 60Co radionuclides were achieved taking into account important parameters including initial pH of the medium, contact time, initial metal ion concentration and temperature. A comparative study between zirconium aluminate and PANI/ZAl composite for the sorption of 152+154Eu and 60Co was implemented. The obtained data revealed that the sorption process is significantly improved using PANI/ZAl composite. The distribution coefficient values (Kd) for 152-154Eu onto PANI/ZAl and zirconium aluminate were found to be 13,671 and 7226 mL/g, respectively, and for 60Co, the value of Kd increased from 4037 to 6023 mL/g. Langmuir isotherm model was applicable for the sorption process and the maximum sorption capacity of PANI/ZAl was 175.7 and 140.3 mg/g for 152+154Eu and 60Co, respectively. From the regeneration process, it was established that the regenerated PANI/ZAl can be used for several cycles (six cycles) until completely exhausted. The desorption percent in the first cycle using 0.3 mol/L HNO3 was 91.2 and 95.4% for 152+154Eu and 60Co respectively. Findings of the present work highlight the potential use of PANI/ZAl as a novel, effective and recyclable sorbent for the removal of 60Co and 152+154Eu radioisotopes from the liquid phase.