Preparation, characterization and ion-exchange behavior of polyantimonic acid-polyacrylonitrile (PAA–PAN) composite beads for strontium(II)

An organic–inorganic composite ion exchanger of polyantimonic acid-polyacrylonitrile (PAA–PAN) was synthesized to remove strontium(II) from radioactive waste water. Ion exchange behavior of the composite toward strontium(II) were investigated and the results indicated that the composite presents excellent performance in 0.1 mol L −1 nitric acid. The maximum uptake capacity of strontium(II) can reach up to 49 mg g −1 on composite. Adsorption thermodynamic parameters showed that the ion exchange was endothermic and spontaneous reaction and equilibrium adsorption data fit well with the Langmuir adsorption isotherms. In addition, PAA–PAN beads were found to have chemical and adsorption stability under irradiation and acidic media.