Electrochemical synthesis and immobilization of a beadwork-like Prussian Blue on carbon fiber and the removal of cesium

Abstract

Beadwork-like Prussian blue (PB) crystals were immobilized on a carbon fiber (CF) surface using an electrochemical modification method. The modification condition of PB on CF was investigated by changing the applied potential and modification time. Potentials from 0.35V to 0.5V provided a stable deposition of PB on the CF sheet. The PB-modified CF (PB-CF) was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic mapping. The SEM images of the PB-CF prepared at potentials of 0.2V and 0.35V showed a beadwork-like structure. In contrast, PB formed an island structure on CF at potentials of 0.5V and 0.6V. The adsorption ability of PB-CF for Cs ions was estimated at different pH values and for different modification potentials. The adsorption ratios for 5ppm Cs+ were about 60% at pH 1 for 48h, and more than 90% at pH 5.6. The adsorption ability of PB-CF remained under basic conditions. The specific structure of PB-CF was useful to adsorb Cs+ from solutions at a wide range of pH values.