Adsorption behavior of 99Tc on Fe, Fe2O3 and Fe2O4

Abstract

The adsorption of 99Tc on the adsorbers Fe, Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 was studied by batch experiments under aerobic and anoxic conditions. The effects of pH and CO32- concentration of the simulated ground water on the adsorption ratios were also investigated, and the valences of Tc in solution after the adsorption equilibrium were studied by solvent extraction. The adsorption isotherms of TcO4- on the adsorbers Fe, Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 were determined. Experimental results have shown that the adsorption ratio of Tc on Fe decreases with the increase of pH in the range of 5-12 and increases with the decrease of the CO32- concentration in the range of 10-8M-10-2M. Under aerobic conditions, the adsorption ratios of 99Tc on Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 were not influenced by pH and CO32-concentration. When Fe was used as adsorbent, Tc existed mainly in the form of Tc(IV) after equilibrium and in the form of Tc(VII) when the adsorbent was Fe2O3 or Fe3O4 under aerobic conditions. The adsorption ratios of Tc on Fe, Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 decreased with the increase of pH in the range of 5-12 and increased with the decrease of the CO32- concentration in the range of 10-8M-10-2M under anoxic conditions. Tc existed mainly in the form of Tc(IV) after equilibrium when Fe, Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 was the adsorbent under anoxic conditions. The adsorption isotherms of TcO4- on the adsorbers Fe, Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 are fairly in agreement with the Freundlich’s equation under both aerobic and anoxic conditions.