Preparation and Properties of Novel Nano-Cu-Vermiculite Composite for Iodineion Extraction in the Phosphoric Acid

Abstract

Nano-Cu-vermiculite composite with high distribution coefficients and adsorption capacity towards iodine ion in phosphoric acid systemwere prepared. This material was prepared by loading organic and copper salts with an ion exchange method on vermiculite substrate. Adsorption kinetic and role of phosphoric acid was discussed. Adsorption kinetic experiments indicated that more than 90% of the iodine was absorbed by the composite within the first 30 min and the adsorption kinetic fitted the pseudo-second-order model well. Phosphoric acid has little effect on the extraction, which provides a theoretical basis for the extraction of iodine in the wet-process phosphoric acid. Various characterization methods including SEM, and TG/DTA were utilized for the evaluation of nano-Cu-vermiculite composite. The interlayer spacing increased after CTAB and copper were inserted in vermiculite, and the size of sphere nanocopper in the range of 50-100 nm distribute on the surface and in the interlayer. Therefore the nano-Cu-vermiculite adsorbent has a promising application in iodine extraction from the wet-process phosphoric acid.