The
interaction of Sr(II) on magnetic polyaniline/graphene oxide
(PANI/GO) composites was elucidated by batch, EXAFS, and surface complexation
modeling techniques. The batch experiments showed that decreased uptake
of Sr(II) on magnetic PANI/GO composites was observed with increasing
ionic strength at pH <5.0, whereas no effect of ionic strength
on Sr(II) uptake was shown at pH >5.0. The maximum uptake capacity
of magnetic PANI/GO composites derived from the Langmuir model at
pH 3.0 and 293 K was 37.17 mg/g. The outer-sphere surface complexation
controlled the uptake of Sr(II) on magnetic PANI/GO composites at
pH 3.0 due to the similarity to the EXAFS spectra of Sr2+ in aqueous solutions, but the Sr(II) uptake at pH 7.0 was inner
sphere complexation owing to the occurrence of the Sr–C shell.
According to the analysis of surface complexation modeling, uptake
of Sr(II) on magnetic PANI/GO composites was well simulated using
a diffuse layer model with an outer-sphere complex (SOHSr2+ species) and two inner-sphere complexes (i.e., (SO)2Sr(OH)− and SOSr+ species). These findings are
crucial for the potential application of magnetic nanomaterials as
a promising candidate for the uptake of radionuclides for environmental
remediation.