Cs+ removal from aqueous solutions through adsorption onto Florisil® impregnated with trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium chloride.

This research determined the adsorption performance of Florisil® impregnated with trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium chloride (Cyphos IL-101) in the process of Cs+ removal from aqueous solutions. The obtained Florisil® impregnated with the studied ionic liquid was characterized through energy dispersive X-ray analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in order to verify that the impregnation with the ionic liquid had occurred. The adsorption process has been investigated as a function of pH, solid:liquid ratio, adsorbate concentration, contact time and temperature. The isotherm data was well described by a Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacities of the Florisil® impregnated with the studied ionic liquid was found to be 3.086 mg Cs+/g of adsorbent. The results indicated that the adsorption fitted well with the pseudo-second order kinetic model.