Ion exchange of strontium and caesium ions using PAN-4A composite ion exchanger

To modify the porosity of PAN-4A composite beads, PVP polymer was used. The optimum viscosity of the dope for the preparation of spherical beads is 470 similar to 480 cP. The porosity of composite beads was increased up to 75 percent (by volume) at the ratio of PVP/PAN = 1.0. PAN-4A composite beads were stable in acid solution of pH = 2 and radiation dose up to 1.89 MGy. The ion exchange tests showed that PAN-4A composite ion exchanger was selective for Sr2+. Distribution coefficients for Sr2+ and Cs+ at pH = 2 were 2 x 10(4) mL/g and 280 mL/g, respectively. Ion exchange capacities (Q(m)) modelled by Dubinin-Polanyi equation were 3.92 meq (Sr2+)/g and 2.47 meq (Cs+)/g, respectively. The uptake rates of PAN-4A for Sr ions were improved by PVP addition. The total effective diffusivities were of the order of 10(-8) cm(2)/sec for both strontium and caesium ions.