WATER SORPTION ISOTHERMS AND IONIC HYDRATION OF URANIUM AND THORIUM FORMS OF DOWEX 50W RESINS

Water sorption isotherms of uranium and thorium forms of Dowex 50W exc hangers of polystyrene sulphonate (PSS) type with varying degree of cr osslinkage were obtained by isopiestic technique. The osmotic pressure s and swelling free energies have been determined using the convention al approach. Primary hydration of the cations, total bound water of th e cations and the free osmotic water have been calculated from crossli nking effects, differential free energy of swelling, BET and D'Arcy & Watt methods. The calculation of bound water using an alternate method is also discussed.