The modification of clay minerals by exopolysaccharides
(EPS) may
significantly increase their adsorption capacity for heavy metals.
This study focused on the adsorption of EPS (produced by Rhizobium tropici)-modified montmorillonite (MMT)
and kaolinite (KLT) for Cs and Sr and the influence of external factors
(pH, sulfate, and phosphate). The characterization of the composites
was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared
(FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive
X-ray analysis. With EPS modification, the adsorption capacity of
MMT for Cs and Sr reached 256 and 90.9 mg/g, respectively, which were
significantly improved by 53.8 and 54.5% compared to MMT alone, respectively.
The adsorption capacity of KLT for Sr improved by 10.7%. KLT did not
adsorb Cs either before or after EPS modification. The adsorption
isotherms for Sr on MMT, EPS-MMT, KLT, and EPS-KLT as well as Cs on
MMT and EPS-MMT were better described with the Freundlich adsorption
models, indicating a heterogeneous layered adsorption process. XRD,
FTIR, and AFM analysis confirmed the interlayer reaction of Sr/Cs
with EPS-MMT. The Sr amounts adsorbed on EPS-MMT composites increased
significantly with increasing pH, while the pH influence was not obvious
on Cs adsorption but still slightly increased at pH 7 and then dropped
at pH 9. In the presence of 50 and 500 mg/L sulfate, the Sr amount
absorbed decreased by 12.5, and 29.3%, respectively. On the contrary,
there was a significant increase in Cs adsorption by 12.2 and 33.9%,
respectively. In the presence of phosphate, a significant increase
(64.5%) was observed for Cs adsorption under 50 mg/L phosphate loading,
but 500 mg/L phosphate inhibited (65.8%) the adsorption. In contrast,
there was no significant change of Sr adsorption under different phosphate
concentrations. The current study would provide a new insight for
the application of biopolymers in remediation of Sr- and Cs-contaminated
areas.
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