Removal of cesium and strontium using natural attapulgite: evaluation of adsorption isotherm and thermodynamic data

Abstract

Natural attapulgite was used for removal of cesium and strontium ions from aqueous media by using a batch technique. It was found that cesium and strontium exhibits a physical adsorption mechanism onto the natural attapulgite with a good adsorption efficiency. The adsorption thermodynamic parameters of cesium and strontium referred to an exothermic nature for strontium ion and an endothermic nature for cesium ion and spontaneity of the adsorption process. Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm model were the best fitted the adsorption equilibrium data of cesium and strontium ions. E a values showed that the interaction among cesium and strontium ions and the adsorbent are a physical adsorption.