Effect of pH, ionic strength and temperature on sorption characteristics of Th(IV) on oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were characterized by SEM and FTIR. The sorption of Th(IV) on MWCNTs was studied as a function of contact time, pH, ionic strength, Th(IV) concentration and temperature. The results indicate that the sorption of Th(IV) on MWCNTs is strongly dependent on pH and weakly dependent on ionic strength. The sorption thermodynamics of Th(IV) on MWCNTs was carried out at 293.15, 313.15 and 333.15 K, respectively, and the thermodynamic parameters (standard free energy changes (Delta G (0)), standard enthalpy change (Delta H (0)) and standard entropy change (Delta S (0))) were calculated from the temperature dependent sorption isotherms. The sorption of Th(IV) on MWCNTs is a spontaneous and endothermic process. The oxidized MWCNTs may be a promising candidate for the preconcentration and solidification of Th(IV), or its analogue actinides from large volumes of aqueous solutions.