Sorption of Eu(III) on a natural hematite: Application of a surface complexation model

The solid/water interface reaction is investigated for the sorption of the Eu3+ ion onto a well-characterized natural hematite at pH less than or equa l to 6 in 0.1 mol/L NaClO4. Sorption isotherms are determined at different pH, The sorption of Eu3+ Onto hematite at coverages <1% of the surface hydr oxyl groups follows the ideal Nernst behavior and can be interpreted in ter ms of the surface complexation by the following equilibrium reaction: =XOH + Eu3+ <=> =XOEu2+ + H+ (log K-x(int) = 2.50 +/- 0.19). Complexation consta nts are calculated by either graphically interpretating the sorption isothe rms or fitting the data using the code FITEQL, At higher surface coverages a deviation from the Nernst behavior is observed which can be described sat isfactorily by a two-site surface complexation model, taking into account t he lateral electrostatic interaction of surface-bound Eu(III): =YOH + Eu3<=> =YOEu2+ + H+ (log K-y(int) = -0.82 +/- 0.11). The experimental results are compared with data published in the literature, and the interpretation of sorption isotherms with regard to the sorption mechanisms is critically discussed, (C) 1998 Academic Press.