Column study on electrochemical separation of cesium ions from wastewater using copper hexacyanoferrate film

Chen, R.*; Asai, Miyuki*; Fukushima, Chikako*; Ishizaki, Manabu*; Kurihara, Masato*; Arisaka, Makoto ; Nankawa, Takuya ; Watanabe, Masayuki   ; Kawamoto, Toru*; Tanaka, Hisashi*

Nanoparticle (NPs) film of copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCF) was developed and coated on the rolled sheet electrodes for column cesium separation from wastewater. Different form the electro- or chemical deposited films, CuHCF NPs were firstly covered with ferrocyanide anions, so that they can be well dispersed in water and formed ink. Then CuHCF NPs can be uniformly coated by simple wet process like printing methods, so any sizes, or any patterns are feasible at low cost. Column studies indicated well balance of Cs adsorption and desorption can be achieved by electrochemical oxidation-reduction of CuHCF film, through switching the potentials between anodes and cathodes. XPS and isotherm studies indicated the electrochemical oxidation-reduction of Fe (II/III) on the monolayer of the CuHCF film made contributions to reversible Cs separation.