Strontium removal from acidic solutions by D2EHPA impregnated amberlite XAD-2 resin

Removal conditions of strontium from aqueous solutions with di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) impregnated Amberlite XAD-2 resin, were investigated. D2EHPA impregnated Amberlite XAD-2 resin have been prepared by direct adsorption of solvent into the Amberlite XAD-2 resin by using the dry impregnation method. The Solvent Impregnated Resin (SIR) was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA/DTA). The sorption behavior of strontium ions has been studied as a function of pH, temperature, time, metal concentration and competing ions. Sorption data have been interpreted in terms of Freundlich, Langmuir and Dubinin–Radushkevich equations. Thermodynamic parameters have been calculated for the sorption process, were found to be spontaneous and endothermic one. The rate of extraction of strontium by D2EHPA impregnated Amberlite XAD-2 resin from nitric acid medium has been studied under particle diffusion controlled conditions.