Enhanced decontamination of surface radioactive contamination using a hydrogel coating composited with Prussian blue

In this study, a hydrogel-based strippable coating was expeditiously synthesised by employing hydrogen bonding between eco-compatible guar gum (GG), borax, and glycerol (Gly), thereby endowing the coating with excellent swelling capabilities and a high water retention capacity. This approach was specifically designed to navigate the intricate rheological management associated with strippable coating decontaminants. Through the incorporation of Prussian blue (PB), a material highly effective in adsorbing cesium (Cs), the solubility and diffusion of radionuclides within the hydrogel were significantly enhanced, thereby augmenting the decontamination efficacy of the hydrogel. The PB–GG–Gly composite demonstrated remarkable decontamination efficiencies, removing Cs from surfaces of glass, stainless steel, rubber, lacquer, and cement with percentages of 99.66%, 99.37%, 99.71%, 99.67%, and 83.83%, respectively.