Sequential Separation of U(VI) and Th(IV) by a Cyanex-921-Based Amberlite XAD-4 Chelating Resin

Nuclear Materials Authority, 530-El Maadi Cairo, Egypt

*Corresponding author: A. I. L. Abd El Fatah, Nuclear Materials Authority, 530-El Maadi Cairo, Egypt, Tel: +20-1227020239, E-mail: [email protected]

Received Date: July 12, 2025

Publication Date: August 30, 2025

Citation: Elashry SM, et al. (2025). Sequential Separation of U(VI) and Th(IV) by a Cyanex-921-Based Amberlite XAD-4 Chelating Resin. Nanoparticle. 6(1):20.

Copyright: Elashry SM, et al. © (2025).

ABSTRACT

In this study, The incorporation of Cyanex 921 onto an XAD-4 polymeric support for selective separation and extraction of U(VI) and Th(IV) from aqueous solutions of natural sediment ore samples. It was shown that from an acidic solution, the successful loading of Cyanex 921 onto XAD-4 matrix was confirmed by FTIR and SEM. A batch sorption technique was used to examine the adsorption mechanism. Examined were pH, contact time, and adsorbent dose. The experimental results demonstrated that optimal loading capacities were achieved at a pH of 4 with 60 minutes of stirring for uranium, and at a pH of 3 with 30 minutes of stirring for thorium. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were utilized to mathematically represent the equilibrium data at room temperature, specifically at 25 °C. The maximum adsorption capacities of the im-pregnated resin for uranium (VI) and thorium (IV) were found to be 333.3 mg/g and 434.7 mg/g, respectively, per the Langmuir model at 25 °C. Chemical adsorption constituted the rate-limiting step in the adsorption of uranium and thorium onto the specified resin, adhering to the model of pseudo-second-order kinetics. The thermodynamic characteristics suggest that the process of adsorption of uranium and thorium onto impregnated Amberlite XAD-4 resin is marked by exothermically (ΔH < 0) and spontaneity (ΔG < 0). The impregnated resin demonstrates significant durability, and rapid equilibration. The described procedure has been accomplished implemented on actual sediment rock samples, indicating that the impregnated resin is an effective material for the extraction and recovery of U and Th ions derived from watery solutions.

Keywords: Impregnation, Sorption, Uranium (VI), Thorium (IV), XAD-4, Cyanex 921, Preconcentration