Preparation and characterisation of bunches of grapes-like shape of CdO nanoparticles for selective adsorption of 152+154Eu and 60Co from radioactive liquid waste

Bunches of grapes-like shape of CdO nanoparticles were obtained using the sol-gel auto-combustion method. Structural investigations were done using FTIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and XRD analysis. A morphological study reveals the formation of clusters of bunches of grapes that are distributed in a homogeneous manner. The prepared CdO exhibits wide pore size distribution. The effects of pH, initial metal concentration, contact time, and reaction temperature on the adsorption of Eu152+154 and Co-60 using CdO nanoparticles were investigated by batch techniques. The equilibrium data could be adequately described by the Langmuir and D-R isotherm models, and the maximal capacity was 18.2 and 13.8 mg/g for Eu152+154 and Co-60 respectively. Thermodynamic characteristics indicated that the adsorption systems were spontaneous in nature and that the adsorption process was endothermic. The majority of the loaded radionuclides were successfully desorbed by 0.1 M phosphoric acid. CdO NPs is quite effective in re-adsorption of Eu152+ 154 and Co-60 for five cycles. The presence of bunches of grapes cluster has a marked role in the removal efficiency and selectivity of CdO for the adsorption of Eu152+154-and Co-60 radionuclides from liquid radioactive waste also contains Cs-134 and Ba-133 and could potentially be utilised as low cost, efficient and eco-friendly sorbent material.