Sorption studies of europium on cerium phosphate using Box-Behnken design.

Süleyman İnan

doi:10.3906/kim-2002-16

Abstract

Amorphous cerium phosphate was prepared and characterized. Three-level Box-Behnken design (BBD) was employed to analyze the effect of process variables such as initial pH (2–6), contact time (60–180 min), and sorbent amount (0.05–0.15 g) on the sorption capacity of europium. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the main effect of initial pH and sorbent amount has a substantial impact on the sorption of Eu(III). Probability F-value (F = 3 × 10-3) and correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.97) point out that the model is in good accordance with experimental data. The maximum sorption capacity of Eu(III) was found to be 42.14 mg g-1 at initial pH 6, contact time of 180 min, and a sorbent amount of 0.05 g. Sorption isotherm data was well explained by the Langmuir model and monolayer Eu(III) sorption capacity was obtained as 30.40 mg g-1. Kinetic data were well described by the pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamic data suggested that the process is endothermic and spontaneous.

Highlights

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of metals consisting of 15 lanthanide elements including yttrium and scandium
In this study, amorphous cerium phosphate was synthesized via a one-step method
Characterization studies were performed by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and thermal analyses

Summary

Introduction

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of metals consisting of 15 lanthanide elements including yttrium and scandium. Owing to their superior physical and chemical properties, they are significant for several progressive technologies [1]. Europium is used in light-emitting diodes (LEDs), LCDs, and fluorescent lamps. Because of the growing demand for LEDs and LCDs, it is becoming a more vital element for the electronic industry [3]. Europium sources are not distributed on Earth, and the production of europium in the world is mostly in China [3]. Recovery of europium and other REEs from alternative sources such as electronic waste and wastewater has become an important issue

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Conclusion