Thermodynamic and sorption behavior of U(VI) and Th(IV) on unsaturated polyester-styrene polymeric beads

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science 2006-06, Vol.100 (5), p.4098-4106
• Main Authors: El-Gammal, B., Ibrahim, G. M., El-Nahas, H. H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adsorption; Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Physicochemistry of polymers; polyesters; Polymers and radiations; polystyrene; Properties and characterization; thermodynamics; waste
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.23307

The sorption behavior of Th(IV) and U(VI) species on two batch molds of radiation‐induced polymerized unsaturated polyester beads containing 40 wt % styrene was investigated. The distribution coefficients of both ions on the polymeric sorbents were evaluated at 30°C using 10−4 M solution and found to be 271.9 and 469.8 mL/g on the first mold and 296 and 1189.2 mL/g on the second mold for Th(VI) and U(IV), respectively. Testing the sorption data using different theories provided evidence that the sorption data accurately fit the Langmuir, Freundlich, and D‐R isotherms, indicating chemisorption occurred and that E, the mean sorption energy of thorium and uranium on the different molds of unsaturated polyester–styrene, was between 8.304 and 13.92 kJ/mol, reflecting the nature of the ion exchange. The thermodynamics of sorption were considered in order to evaluate ΔH, ΔS, and ΔG. The data showed that the sorption process was spontaneous and exothermic. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4098–4106, 2006