Removal of 58Co, 134Cs, and 95Zr radioisotopes from aqueous solutions using cellulose iminodiacetic acid chelating cum cation-exchanger

The iminodiacetic acid group containing resin acts as a chelating ion exchanger as well as a weakly acidic cation exchanger, depending upon the species present in the solution. Iminodiacetic acid group has been incorporated onto cellulose by a modified Porath's method of functionalization of polysaccharides. The resin has been used for removal of Co-58, Cs-134, and Zr-95 radioisotopes from their separate aqueous solutions. Zr-95 as [Zr(OH)(2)(H2O)(4)](8+) tetrameric species is adsorbed from the aqueous solution at low pH through cation exchange cum chelate formation. Co-58 as Co2+ is complexed with the resin. Cs-134 as Cs+ is exchanged with equivalent amount of H+ ions. Cs+ was eluted from resin using 0.3N HCl, Co2+ with 4N HCl and Zr(IV) with 5N HCl Final disposal of the resin can be done by encapsulation in the cement concrete.