Zirconium phosphates deposited on the granulated silica gel as adsorbents for the extraction of cesium, strontium radioisotope ions

A preliminary study of a lot of adsorbents for the adsorption of radioisotopes of cesium, strontium and yttrium from the drain waters of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant showed that granular zirconium phosphate had the best adsorption properties. The aim of this work was the synthesis and study of the adsorption of cesium and strontium ions onto zirconium phosphates deposited on granular silica gel. In the synthesis of these adsorbents, zirconium phosphates were converted into metal-substituted derivatives using alkaline earth metal compounds. The Mg, Ca, Ba, and (Mg+Ba) substituted derivatives were synthesized and investigated. It was found that, in the series of metal-substituted zirconium phosphates which were deposited on granular silica gel, the magnesium substituted ion-exchangers exhibited the best adsorption properties at cesium adsorption, and especially at strontium adsorption.