Adsorption behavior of cobalt-60 from aqueous solutions using polyacrylamide/gum acacia/cadmium oxide nano composite synthesized by gamma irradiation

Abstract The treatment of radioactive waste containing cobalt isotopes is a critical issue due to their long half-lives and potential environmental hazards. This study investigates the potential of polyacrylamide/gum acacia (PAAm/GA) and polyacrylamide/gum acacia/cadmium oxide (PAAm/GA/CdO) nanocomposites as prepared sorbents for removing radioactive cobalt from aqueous solutions. Nanocomposite particles were prepared using gamma irradiation of a dose of 30 kGy. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Kinetic study indicates the pseudo-second-order (PSO) model is verified. The sorption capacity (qe) was PAAm/GA/CdO (34.4 mg/g) > PAAm/GA (23.1 mg/g). The free energy change (E) calculated from the D-R isotherm model was equal to 12.9 kJ/mol for PAAm/GA/CdO providing chemisorption adsorption. Thermodynamic parameters indicate endothermic nature and sponta neous adsorption processes. Results indicate also that PAAm/GA/CdO could use as a good adsorbent material in the remediation of environmental pollution.