Cesium is a typical radioisotope that has a long half-life and can be emitted in the event of a nuclear accident. Prussian blue (PB) is known to be an effective cesium adsorbent, but the direct application of PB is limited by the difficulty of its recovery from solution. In this study, a simple and versatile approach to immobilize Prussian blue in the supporting matrix via surface functionalization was investigated. The commercially available poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge and cellulose filter (CF) was functionalized by acrylic acid (AA) to enhance the PB immobilization, which increased both PB loading and binding strength. The amount of AA added was optimized by evaluating the weight change rate and iron (III) ion adsorption test. The AA functionalization changed the major functional groups from hydroxyl to carboxylic, as confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. PB was further synthesized in the AA modified PVA (PAA-PVA) and the AA modified CF (PAA-CF) using layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly, which contributed to more stable PB formation, and reduced detachment of PB during washing. The prepared adsorbents (PAA-L@PVA-PB, PAA-L@CF-PB) were tested for its cesium adsorption capability. Cesium adsorption was equilibrated within three hours, and the maximum cesium adsorption capacities of AA treated adsorbents were much higher than pristine PVA and CF. The observed decrease in the solution pH during cesium adsorption inhibited the overall cesium uptake; however, this was minimized by buffering. The prepared PAA-L@PVA-PB, PAA-L@CF-PB were used as a filter material and its potential use as a countermeasure for removing radioactive cesium from a contaminated water stream was demonstrated.

Prussian blue immobilized filter materials for the selective removal of aqueous cesium

2019 Fall National Meeting

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