Titanate nanotubes: preparation, characterization and application in adsorption of strontium ion from aqueous solution

Abstract

The adsorptive removal potential of Sr2+ ions with titanate nanotubes (TNT) was investigated. Titanate nanotubes were synthesized via hydrothermal treatment of anatase titania powders and concentrated NaOH solution. Morphological and structural properties of titanate nanotubes were determined by XRD, BET and HRTEM. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) showed that uniform nanotubes with inner diameters of approximate to 4 nm and outer diameters of approximate to 12 nm were obtained. The adsorption behaviors of Sr2+ ions on the TNT were also investigated. As a result of the experimental data, it was concluded that TNT are good adsorbents for the removal of Sr2+ ions from aqueous solutions with an adsorption capacity reaching of 66.72 mg/g. The adsorption mechanisms of Sr2+ ions from aqueous solutions onto TNT were examined with aid of model analyses of the adsorption equilibrium and kinetic data of Sr2+ ions. The rate constant has been calculated for 288, 298, 308 and 318 K. Thermodynamic parameters for the sorption system have been determined.