Copper ferrocyanide polyurethane foam as a composite ion exchanger for removal of radioactive cesium

A method has been developed for the removal of cesium from the aqueous radi oactive waste using a composite ion-exchanger consisting of Copper-Ferrocya nide Powder (CFC) and Polyurethane (PU) Foam. Polyvinyl acetate has been us ed as a binder in the preparation of CFC-PU foam. The physical properties o f CFC such as density, surface area, IR stretching frequency and lattice pa rameters have been evaluated and also its potassium and copper(II) content have been estimated. Optimization of loading of CFC on PU foam has been stu died. The CFC-PU was viewed under microscope to find out the homogeneity of distribution. Exchange capacities of the CFC-PU foam in different media ha ve been determined and column studies have been carried out. Studies have b een undertaken on extraction of cesium from CFC foam and also on digestion of spent CFC-PU foam and immobilization of digested solution in cement matr ix. The cement matrices have been characterized with respect to density, bi o-resistance and leaching resistance.