Highly efficient removal of Cs(I) using the magnetically separable potassium ferrocyanide: Mechanism, economic analysis, and impact insights

Cs nuclides, originating from nuclear weapon tests or compromised nuclear power plants are highly mobile and easily migrate among environmental media, eventually bio-accumulating in the human body and causing serious disease. Reliable and highly efficient removal of Cs(I) ions from radioactive wastewater is of great importance. Herein, a novel magnetic potassium ferrocyanide nanocomposite, viz. K4Fe(CN)(6)@Fe3O4, was rationally designed for Cs(I) removal. Through a well-controlled in-situ growth method, potassium ferrocyanide [K4Fe (CN)(6), KFC] nanocrystals were in-situ grown onto the surface of Fe3O4 nanospheres forming KFC@Fe3O4 nanocomposite. The Cs(I) removal rate of KFC@Fe3O4 can reach over 95% within a relatively short time. Even in the presence of considerable amounts of Na+, Ca2+ and NH4+ ions, KFC@Fe3O4 maintained a considerably high removal rate. KFC@Fe3O4 yielded a relatively lager saturation magnetization value, enabling its rapid separation from the reaction system by introducing an external magnetic field. Notably the embedded potassium in KFC@Fe3O4 plays a vital role in Cs(I) exchange process. The experimental results underscore the superior per-formance of KFC@Fe3O4 as a potential Cs(I) adsorbent in wastewater. The implications of this study reach extend beyond mere technological advancements, highlighting that the application of this novel methodology for nu-clear wastewater treatment requires the engagement of a broad spectrum of potential users. Overall, this study elucidated the mechanism of Cs(I) removal by KFC@Fe3O4, ad developed an eco-friendly and cost-effective strategy for radioactive wastewater purification, while deliberating on the advantages and potential chal-lenges of scaling up the material and process for future application.