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Nuclear energy

Breakthrough in Radionuclide Removal: New Composite Material Shows Promise

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority have developed a novel composite material that efficiently removes radionuclides from aqueous solutions. The composite material, made from chitosan-graphene oxide-acrylic acid-acrylonitrile (CS-GO)-AAAN hydrogel, has been shown to effectively adsorb cesium (Cs) and europium (Eu) ions. The study, published in the journal Applied Radiation and Isotopes, highlights the material's potential for use in nuclear waste management and environmental remediation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CS-GO-AAAN hydrogel composite is a high-efficiency and eco-friendly adsorbent for removing radionuclides from aqueous solutions.
  • The composite material was prepared through a simultaneous process of copolymerization and cross-linking, followed by grafting with graphene oxide.
  • Characterization methods such as XRD, SEM, and FT-IR were used to study the material's structure and properties.
  • Adsorption processes were studied under various conditions, including contact time, pH, concentration, and temperature.
  • The pseudo-second-order model accurately described the kinetics of adsorption, while the Freundlich model provided a detailed representation of the equilibrium and multilayer physisorption profile.
  • Thermodynamic analysis revealed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic.
  • The composite material demonstrated potential for reuse and showed high experimental capacities for Cs and Eu adsorption (287.2 and 349.3 mg/g, respectively).

Statistics:

  • The adsorption capacity of the CS-GO composite was 287.2 and 349.3 mg/g for Cs and Eu, respectively.
  • The pseudo-second-order model accurately described the kinetics of adsorption.
  • The Freundlich model provided a more accurate representation of the equilibrium and distinctive multilayer physisorption profile.
  • The thermodynamic analysis revealed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic.
  • The composite material demonstrated potential for reuse and showed high experimental capacities for Cs and Eu adsorption.

Sources:

  • Adsorption performance of eco-friendly chitosan/graphene oxide composite hydrogel for removal of 134Cs and 152+154Eu radionuclides from aqueous solution. Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 2025; 225: 112072.
  • Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority. Hot Laboratories and Waste Management Center. Post Code 13759, Cairo, Egypt.
  • Applied Radiation and Isotopes. Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England.
  • Elsevier. www.elsevier.com.
  • NewsRx. New Findings from Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority Yields New Data on Technology (Adsorption performance of eco-friendly chitosan/graphene oxide composite hydrogel for removal of 134Cs and 152+154Eu radionuclides from aqueous solution). Physics Week. August 19, 2025; p 1662.

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