Adsorption of Eu(III) on iron oxide/multiwalled carbon nanotube magnetic composites

Iron oxide/multiwalled carbon nanotube magnetic composites (denoted as magnetic composites) were synthesized and characterized in detail. The magnetic composites can be separated from aqueous solution easily by using magnetic separation method. The application of magnetic composites in the removal of Eu(III) from large volumes of aqueous solutions was studied. The results indicated that the sorption of Eu(III) on the magnetic composites was strongly dependent on pH values and weakly dependent on ionic strength. The sorption of Eu(III) on the magnetic composites was mainly dominated by inner-sphere surface complexation. The linear sorption isotherms of Eu(III) suggested that Eu(III) sorption on the magnetic composites was far from saturation. The large sorption capacity and the easy magnetic separation method indicate that the magnetic composites may be a promising suitable material in nuclear waste management in future.