Ion exchange of caesium and strontium on a titanosilicate analogue of the mineral pharmacosiderite

Abstract

Ion exchange experiments were carried out for the removal of trace caesium ( ¹³⁷ Cs) and trace strontium ( ⁸⁹ Sr) by different cationic forms of a titanosilicate analogue of the mineral pharmacosiderite. Selectivity factors were estimated by determining batch distribution coefficients (K _d ) as a function of sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium ion concentration. Other effects studied were pH, increasing caesium and strontium ion concentration, hydrolysis of the sodium form exchanger, the presence of the complexing agents EDTA, citrate and borate, and the resistance of the material to radiation damage.