Highly efficient sorption of thorium (IV) onto a ternary magnetic TiO2/Fe3O4/GO nanocomposite

Abstract

Abstract A recyclable TiO2/Fe3O4/GO (TFGO) ternary magnetic nanocomposite was developed for the adsorption of Th (IV) from an aqueous media. The nanocomposite was prepared using a simple colloidal mixing technique. The TFGO nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, thermal gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The nanocomposite is conveniently isolated by applying an external magnetic field. Using batch procedures, the impact of adsorption process control parameters was examined. The maximum Th (IV) adsorption capacity of the TFGO nanocomposite was 29.97 mg/g at pH 2.5 with 92.31%, removal efficiency better than that of conventional adsorbents. The isothermal models of Langmuir and Freundlich were also applied to illustrate the adsorption of Th (IV) of aqueous solutions on TFGO. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH°, ΔS° and ΔG°) of the adsorption process were also calculated. Furthermore, the experimental data from this adsorption process were adapted to the pseudo second order model rather than the pseudo first order model. TFGO nanocomposite exhibits outstanding recovery properties. So; due to highly adsorption potential of Th (IV), TFGO nanocomposite could be used in nuclear fuel accomplishments and for Th (IV) environmental pollution cleaning.