PHYSICOCHEMICAL IN-SITU SYNTHESIS OF PRUSSIAN BLUE FOR CESIUM REMOVAL

Abstract

Prussian blue (PB) has attracted substantial attention as a potential adsorbent for radionuclides due to its high water-insoluble characteristics. Here, PB-encapsulating activated carbon fibers (ACFs) obtained via a physicochemical in-situ synthesis were introduced for an effective cesium removal. ACFs were used as an anchor platform to hold PB within the pores. The physicochemical synthesis of PB (PB-ACF-B) was done by stirring ACFs in an iron chloride solution. Potassium ferrocyanate was injected during the stirring process. As the counterpart, powdered PB (PB-ACF-A) was prepared with a physical synthesis. Throughout the test, PB-ACF-B revealed a decrease in the specific surface characteristics compared to PB-ACF-A; however, it also experienced an increase in the Cs adsorption. In all the cases, the dosage of the absorbent and radionuclide was in positive correlation with the adsorption performance. Further, the amount of PB was found to be the key factor for the adsorption of Cs compared to the specific surface characteristics.