Sorption and desorption properties of Eu(III) on attapulgite

The sorption-desorption of Eu(III) on attapulgite was studied using batch technique. The sorption of Eu(III) on attapulgite was strongly dependent on pH and ionic strength at low pH, and independent of ionic strength at high pH. The interaction was dominated by outer-sphere surface complexation/ion exchange at low pH, and by inner-sphere surface complexation at high pH. The irreversible sorption-desorption curves also suggested the formation of strong surface complexes. The high sorption capacity of attapulgite suggested that the attapulgite is a suitable material for the efficient elimination of Eu(III) from aqueous solutions in nuclear wastewater management.