Sorption of plutonium (IV) on thoria-silica spherical particles

Hydrous oxides-silica composite material in the powder form show good sorption characteristics for the removal of plutonium form oxalate effluents. Spherical particles of thoria-silica give good column performance when compared to the powder form of the same material. In the present study, Thoria-silica spherical particles in the size range of 20-30 mesh were prepared by sol-gel technique and this material was investigated for the sorption of Pu(IV) from different aqueous media. The present study describes a new method for the preparation of thoria-silica spherical particles and its conversion to different forms. This material may be useful for the removal of plutonium from low acidic aqueous wastes and also from oxalate effluents generated during Pu(IV) oxalate precipitation