Th(IV) removal from aqueous solutions by oxidized biochar prepared from palm tree fibers

The title process has been investigated at pH 3 and under ambient conditions by batch type experiments and FTIR spectroscopy. The experimental data have shown that the Th(IV) adsorption by this process is well fitted by the Langmuir isotherm model (q_max = 0.18 mol/kg or 42 g/kg), is an entropy-driven process and follows the 2nd order kinetics. Furthermore, FTIR spectroscopic data indicated that the sorption occurs via formation of inner-sphere complexes between Th(VI) and the carboxylic surface moieties.