Adsorption of some hazardous radionuclides on cerium(IV) antimonate

Cerium(IV) antimonate was prepared by dropwise addition of 0.6M antimony pe ntachloride and 0.6M cerium ammonium nitrate solutions by a molar ratio of Ce/Sb 0.75. Exchange isotherms for H+/Co2+, H+/Cs+, H+/Zn2+, H+/Sr2+ and H/Eu3+ were determined at 25, 40 and 60 degrees C. Besides, it was proved th at europium is physically adsorped, while zinc, strontium, cobalt and cesiu m are chemically adsorbed. Moreover, the heat of adsorption of zinc, stront ium, cobalt and cesium on cerium(IV) antimonate was calculated and indicate d that cerium(IV) antimonate is of endothermic behavior towards these ions. Also the distribution coefficients of these ions were determined and it wa s found that the selectivity is in the order: Eu3+ > Sr2+ > Cs+ > Na+.