Synthesis and evaluation of diphosphonic acid functionalized mesoporous silica for actinide sorption

I&EC 169

Robert J Wiacek, robert.wiacek@pnl.gov1, Matthew J. O'Hara, matthew.ohara@pnl.gov2, Oleg B. Egorov, oleg.egorov@pnl.gov1, Glen E. Fryxell, glen.fryxell@pnl.gov1, and R. Shane Addleman, shane.addleman@pnl.gov1. (1) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, MS K2-12, PO Box 999, Richland, WA 78712, (2) Environmental Technology Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, MS P7-22, PO Box 999, Richland, WA 99352
Selective actinide separation is of critical importance for many nuclear science and technology sectors, which includes nuclear fuel production, treaty verification, environmental remediation, nuclear waste disposal, nuclear medicine, sensing and detection. Previous studies have shown that solid phase diphosphonic acid moieties supported upon polymer resin have extremely high affinities for actinides. In order to improve the capacity of these materials, we explored methods of combining a diphosphonic acid moiety, in the form of self-assembled monolayer, with nanoporous silica supports. Performance of these materials with various actinide cations were measured and evaluated using the distribution coefficients (Kd) values, revealing very high affinity and rapid sorption kinetics. A comprehensive study comparing these nanoporous sorbent materials with commercial materials will also be presented.
 

Separation of f-Elements, Sponsored by Separation Science and Technology Sub-Division
9:00 AM-12:00 PM, Thursday, 14 September 2006 Moscone Center -- Room 250, Oral

Division of Industrial & Engineering Chemistry

The 232nd ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, September 10-14, 2006