Cerium(III) molybdate nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization and radionuclides adsorption studies

Highlights: ► A new inorganic nanoparticles with average size about 40 nm were synthesized by chemical method. ► The morphology studies reveal existing nanowires among dense nanoparticles. ► Investigation shows it has high stability in rough media and high affinity for Cs(I), U(VI), and Th(IV). ► It was used for adsorption of radionuclides and removal of 134Cs from real sample. ► These findings are important for evaluating human and environmental risk assessment. - Abstract: Cerium(III) molybdate nanostructure with average size about 40 nm was prepared by adding cerium(III) chloride and ammonium molybdate solutions under varying conditions. The product was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Brunauere Emmette Teller (BET) techniques. Ion exchange capacity of the sample for potassium ion and distribution coefficients (Kd) for 23 metal ions were determined, the Kd values for Tl(I), Pb(II), Th(IV), U(VI), and Cs(I) ions were found to be sufficiently high for their removal from various effluents. The adsorption behavior of the sample towards Cs(I)134 species were studied. Finally, the binary separation of Dy(III)–U(VI), Sm(III)–Th(IV) and Cs(I)–Rb(I) and removal of Cs(I)134 from the real sample were successfully achieved.