Modifying attapulgite clay by ammonium citrate tribasic for the removal of radionuclide Th(IV) from aqueous solution

The ammonium citrate tribasic was successfully modified to attapulgite clay and the effect of modifying was characterized by FTIR and XRD techniques. Experimental results showed that the ammonium citrate tribasic modified attapulgite clay had a strong sorption ability to remove Th(IV) from aqueous solutions. The sorption of Th(IV) from aqueous solutions has been systematically investigated as a function of several variables including contact time, solid content, pH, ionic strength, Fulvic acid (FA)/humic acid (HA) and temperature under ambient conditions. The results indicate that the sorption of Th(IV) onto ammonium citrate tribasic modified attapulgite clay is strongly dependent on pH, Th(IV) initial concentration, ionic strength, temperature and HA/FA. Surface complexation and ionic exchange are the main sorption mechanisms. Sorption of Th(IV) onto ammonium citrate tribasic modified attapulgite is quick and can be fitted by a pseudo-second-order rate model very well. Sorption of Th(IV) onto ammonium citrate tribasic modified attapulgite is promoted at higher temperature and the sorption reaction is an endothermic process. Langmuir isotherm model fits the experimental data better than Freundlich and D-R isotherm models. The results suggest that the ammonium citrate tribasic modified attapulgite sample is a suitable material in the preconcentration and solidification of radionuclide Th(IV) from large volumes of aqueous solutions.