Adsorption and separation behavior of strontium and yttrium using a silica-based CMPO adsorbent

Abstract

To separate Y(III) from a Sr(II)–Y(II) mixture, two silica-based adsorbents, CMPO/SiO2-P and (CMPO + Dodec)/SiO2-P were prepared by impregnating octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoyl methylphosphine oxide (CMPO) extractant and a molecule modifier (1-Dodecanol) into macroporous silica/polymer composite support (SiO2-P). The Adsorbents showed high adsorption affinity to Y(III) and weak adsorption affinity to Sr(II) in HNO3 solution. The amount of adsorbed Y(III) increased with the HNO3 in the solution. The amount of adsorbed Y(III) increased with contact time and reached equilibrium within 30 min. The results showed that a pseudo-second-order kinetic model with a high correlation coefficient described the adsorption process better than other kinetic models. Successful Y(III) separation from Sr(II)–Y(III) mixture in HNO3 solution was achieved.