Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • KSbP2O8 achieves a maximum Sr2+ adsorption capacity of 110.25 mg g−1 under neutral conditions, outperforming many existing inorganic exchangers and enabling efficient remediation of neutral radioactive wastewater. • • At pH 2.0, KSbP2O8 retains a high capacity of 79.38 mg g−1, demonstrating exceptional acid resistance and addressing the bottleneck of material instability in acidic HLLW treatment. • • Rapid kinetics: 91.54% Sr2+ removal within 30 minutes under neutral conditions, facilitating fast, continuous-flow processing in industrial settings. • • The material exhibits excellent selectivity for Sr2+ over competing ions (e.g., Na+, Cs+) and facile regeneration, reducing secondary waste and operational costs.
Abstract
Radiostrontium remediation is crucial for ecological protection and sustainable development of nuclear energy. However, efficient removal of 90Sr from complex radioactive liquid waste, especially under acidic conditions, remains challenging due to material instability and intense proton competition. Herein, the rapid and highly selective capture of Sr2+ in neutral and even acidic solutions has been achieved by a layered potassium phosphatoantimonate KSbP2O8 with excellent radiation and thermal stability. Under neutral conditions, it possesses high maximum adsorption capacity (qmSr = 110.25 mg g−1), rapid adsorption kinetics (the removal rate (RSr) of 91.54% within 30 min), and excellent selectivity for Sr2+, and facile regeneration. Particularly, even under acidic conditions (pH 2.0), KSbP2O8 still maintains excellent Sr2+ removal capacity (qmSr = 79.38 mg g−1), fast kinetics, and high selectivity. A mechanism study by multiple characterizations reveals that the efficient Sr2+ removal of KSbP2O8 mainly stems from ion exchange between Sr2+ and interlayer K+ in KSbP2O8, which is attributed to the synergy between the Sb5+-induced Brønsted acidity and the high charge density of the anionic framework. This study demonstrates the exceptional capability of phosphatoantimonates to selectively capture Sr2+ under acidic conditions, highlighting the potential of phosphatoantimonates as effective scavengers for radiostrontium remediation.
1. Introduction
The remediation of radiostrontium (90Sr) from nuclear waste streams is a critical environmental and safety challenge. As a high-yield fission product with a half-life of 28.6 years, 90Sr poses significant radiological hazards due to its high solubility and mobility in the environment, and its chemical similarity to calcium leads to bioaccumulation in bones, increasing cancer risks. The Fukushima accident underscored the urgency, with elevated 90Sr concentrations detected in marine environments. However, existing removal technologies—such as chemical precipitation, membrane separation, and solvent extraction—are often energy-intensive, costly, or generate secondary wastes. Ion exchange and adsorption are favored for their simplicity and low cost, yet most materials suffer from poor stability and selectivity under the strongly acidic conditions typical of high-level liquid waste (HLLW), where proton competition severely diminishes uptake.
This study introduces a layered potassium phosphatoantimonate, KSbP2O8, as a robust ion exchanger that overcomes these limitations. The material's unique structure, featuring Sb5+-induced Brønsted acidity and a high-charge-density anionic framework, facilitates selective Sr2+ exchange even at pH 2.0. With a maximum capacity of 110.25 mg g−1 in neutral media and 79.38 mg g−1 at pH 2.0, along with rapid kinetics (91.54% removal in 30 min), KSbP2O8 demonstrates superior performance compared to previously reported materials such as doped antimony oxides and tungsten bronzes. This work provides a promising candidate for efficient radiostrontium scavenging in complex acidic waste streams, addressing a critical bottleneck in nuclear waste management.
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Xiaoya Zhang, Shuangjiang Li, Haiyan Sun, Zhihua Chen, Jiahua Luo, Shuzhen Liu, Xiaoying Huang, Meiling Feng (2026). Highly Efficient Removal of Sr2+ by a Layered Potassium Phosphatoantimonate under Neutral and Acidic Conditions. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-026-4112-6
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum Sr2+ adsorption capacity of KSbP2O8 under neutral and acidic conditions, and how does it compare to existing materials?
Under neutral conditions, KSbP2O8 exhibits a maximum adsorption capacity of 110.25 mg g−1, while at pH 2.0 it retains a capacity of 79.38 mg g−1. These values significantly exceed those of many previously reported exchangers, such as hydrated hexagonal tungsten bronze (10.51 mg g−1 at 1 M HNO3) and Si-doped antimony oxide (44.30 mg g−1 at 3 M HNO3), highlighting its superior performance.
How does KSbP2O8 maintain high selectivity for Sr2+ in the presence of competing ions like Na+ and Cs+?
The selectivity stems from the ion-exchange mechanism between Sr2+ and interlayer K+ ions, facilitated by the Sb5+-induced Brønsted acidity and high charge density of the anionic framework. This structure preferentially accommodates Sr2+ over monovalent ions, as demonstrated by excellent selectivity coefficients in both neutral and acidic media.
What is the adsorption kinetics of KSbP2O8, and is it suitable for rapid treatment processes?
KSbP2O8 achieves 91.54% Sr2+ removal within 30 minutes under neutral conditions, indicating rapid kinetics. This fast uptake is advantageous for continuous-flow column operations, enabling high-throughput treatment of radioactive wastewater.
Can KSbP2O8 be regenerated and reused without significant loss of performance?
Yes, the material exhibits facile regeneration, as mentioned in the abstract. While specific regeneration data are not detailed in the provided text, the ion-exchange process is reversible, and the material's stability under acidic conditions suggests it can withstand multiple cycles, reducing operational costs.
What is the proposed mechanism for Sr2+ removal by KSbP2O8, and how does it explain performance under acidic conditions?
The mechanism is primarily ion exchange between Sr2+ and interlayer K+ ions. The Sb5+-induced Brønsted acidity enhances the material's affinity for Sr2+ even in acidic environments, while the high charge density of the anionic framework promotes selective binding. This synergy allows effective removal despite proton competition, as confirmed by multiple characterizations.
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