Layered nano titanate: synthesis and application in aqueous radioactive waste management

Nano Titania materials are known to be highly effective ion exchangers which have been synthesised with diverse functionalities and by various methods. This paper reports synthesis of layered nano titanates containing organic reducing groups and evaluated for application in management of aqueous radioactive waste. Synthesis has been carried out by two methods - one by mild hydrolysis of fluoride complexes of Titanium under reflux condition and the other by additionally deploying ultra-sonication during the hydrolysis. The nano materials have been characterised by XRD, SEM/ EDX for structure and surface morphology. The XRD analysis indicates formation of 9A⁰ interlayer distance for products formed by both the methods. However, SEM analysis indicates, totally different morphology of the products. The Titania Nano Tube (TNT) like structure morphology is observed for samples obtained by simple hydrolysis; whereas the samples obtained by ultra-sonication route show highly spherical morphology. The samples were tested for extraction of ⁶⁰Co from the aqueous liquid waste at neutral pH in the presence of 1gm/L of NaNO₃ salt and Kd value of 2763 ml/gm was observed. ⁶⁰Co is invariably found in aqueous waste streams from power reactor and the developed sorbent can be gainfully employed for decontamination of this type of waste. Further investigation for pickup of lanthanides and actinides from various aqueous radioactive waste solutions is being carried out. (author)