Gamma-induced radiation polymerization of kaolin composite for sorption of lanthanum, europium and uranium ions from low-grade monazite leachate

Gamma radiation polymerization method was used for the modification of kaolin to produce (poly acrylamide-acrylic acid)-Kaolin (PAM-AA-K). Monazite ore is one of the main resources of uranium and lanthanide elements, therefore, this work focused on sorption of uranium, lanthanum and europium ions from low grade monazite leachate. The removal percent for Eu3+, La3+ and UO2 (2+) are 94.6, 91.6 and 73.4%, respectively. Monolayer capacity of Eu3+, La3+ and UO2 (2+) were found to be 54.64, 45.87 and 37.59 mg/g, respectively. The sorption mechanism of lanthanum and europium ions on PAM-AA-K composite mainly takes place as Ln(OH)(2+), and for uranium as uranyl ion, UO2 (2+).