Theoretical modeling of 'REE's - novel ligand interaction' for waste management

Many industrial wastewaters, starting from mining, milling, washing, regeneration, fabrication, operation, reprocessing etc contain valuable metal ions which are mostly present in lean concentration (1 ppm-100 ppb). These metals, especially heavy metals above the permissible limit are toxic and pose a major environmental hazard but are potentially economic and demand a recovery. Thus, the removal/recovery of these lean valuables is important and a technological challenge with respect to cost and safe disposal. In the present study, a neutron absorber (during nuclear reactor shut down) lanthanides e.g., gadolinium sorption was studied with a specially anchored sequestering agent in an extremely hydrophilic three dimensionally cross-linked matrix. In this regard, validation of Langmuir and Freundlich model and intra-molecular diffusion regarding 'Weber Morris' enlightens novel aspects of formation of hydrated sheath and easy diffusion of hydrated metal ion through micro-pores of gel-breathed resin. (author)