Separation feasibility of Cs(I), Sr(II) and Y(III) adsorbed by silica polystyrene impregnated with Aliquat-336

The adsorption of Cs(I), Sr(II) and Y(III) from aqueous solutions using silica polystyrene (SPS) impregnated with Aliquat-336 (A-336) and Theonyl triflouroacetone (HTTA) was investigated. The synthesized materials; SPS, A-336@SPS and HTTA@SPS were characterized using FTIR, XRD and SEM. The order of adsorption capacity is Cs(I)>Sr(II)>Y(III). The adsorption capacity (q_e) for Cs(I), Sr(II) and Y(III) was found to be 2.3, 0.75 and 0.55 mg/g, respectively. The maximum separation factor of SF(Cs/Sr), SF(Cs/Y) and SF(Sr/Y) was 16.01, 29.32, and 1.83, respectively. The selective adsorption of Cs(I) by A-336@SPS is attributed to the formation of strong complex between nitrogen atom of A-336@SPS and Cs(I).