COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THORIUM (IV) SORPTION ONTO SODIC BENTONITE AND MAGNETIC BENTONITE

Abstract

In this paper, the liquid-solid extraction of Thorium (IV) is made by Sodic bentonite and Magnetic bentonite. Magnetic adsorbent can be quickly separated from a medium by a simple magnetic process, in view of these properties; some parameters were studied to assess the performance of maghemite nanocomposite clay for the removal of Thorium ions. The operating variables studied are initial La(III) concentration, pH, ionic strength, temperature and contact time. The time needed for magnetic bentonite to adsorb the maximum of Th (IV) is 45 minutes and 60 minutes for sodic bentonite. For magnetic bentonite, optimal extraction yield was achieved in a initial pH equal at 6.2 and for sodic bentonite, the variation of initial pH has no influence on the extraction yield. The sorption capacities of sodic bentonite and magnetic bentonite are 41.24 and 31.34 mg.g^-1 respectively. Adsorption equilibrium data were calculated for Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. It was found that the sorption of Th (IV) on sodic and magnetic bentonite was better suited to the Langmuir adsorption model. Thermodynamics data leads to endothermic and spontaneous process for magnetic bentonite and exothermal for sodic bentonite. The quantitative elution study of Thorium can be realized with acetic acid for sodic bentonite and sulfuric acid for magnetic bentonite. 

Keywords

• Bentonite,nanoparticle,isother,thorium,process

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