Rapid Removal of152+154Eu(III) Using Polyaniline/Ceria Nanocomposite from Low Level Waste

In this study, the adsorption of(152)Eu and(154)Eu, the two dominant europium activation products in the aqueous solution was investigated by using polyaniline/CeO(2)nanocomposite. The nanocomposite was prepared in two steps- CeO(2)by gel combustion method followed by in situ polymerization by using aniline monomer. The nanocomposite was found to have surface area 15.04 m(2) g(-1)and average particle size of 37.9 nm determined from BET and XRD data respectively. The adsorption study was carried out by batch measurements using radiotracer technique. The gamma spectrum energy of(152+154)Eu was directly measured using Compact 1 K channel MCA Model-GSpec-USB, NaI(Tl) detector based spectroscopy. The nanocomposite was found to be efficient for rapid removal of 94.5% Eu(III) in 0.1 g L(-1)of simulated sample solution. Contact time of 10 min, 10 mg of adsorbent dose, and neutral pH are optimum parameters. Adsorption and kinetic data were well described by Langmuir and Pseudo-second-order model respectively. Negative value of Delta G(0)was supported the spontaneous process.