Study on Adsorption of Thorium from Radioactive Wastewater onto Bone Powder

The bone powder was chosen as the adsorbent, and the adsorption of Th(Ⅳ) on bone powder in aqueous solution was studied. The physicochemical properties of bone powder were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The factors affecting the adsorption of Th(Ⅳ) in aqueous solution such as initial pH values, the initial concentrations of Th(Ⅳ), contact time and temperature were investigated by batch static adsorption experiments, and the adsorption mechanism was also discussed. The results indicate that the adsorption of Th(Ⅳ) on the bone powder is strongly dependent on pH, attaining the highest point at pH=3. The adsorption kinetics can be better described by the pseudo-second-order model, and the adsorption process can be well defined by the Langmuir isotherm model, and the maximum monolayer adsorption capacity is 482.50 mg/g. The adsorption process is feasible, spontaneous and endothermic in nature.