Sorption of cesium ions from aqueous solutions by multi-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with copper ferrocyanide

In this study, copper ferrocyanide-functionalized, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-CuFCs) were synthesized. The MWCNT-CuFCs exhibited a high capacity for sorbing Cs+ from aqueous solutions because of their strong affinity for Cs+ and high specific surface area. The sorption capacity of the MWCNT-CuFCs for Cs+ was dependent upon the initial pH of the solution. The sorption ability of the MWCNT-CuFCs for Cs+ was maintained even in the presence of co-existing ions (K+ and Na+). To determine the degree of Cs+ desorption from the MWCNT-CuFCs, a column-based desorption experiment was performed.