Sorption of Eu on Na-montmorillonite studied by time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy and surface complexation modeling

Sasaki, Takayuki*; Ueda, Kenyo*; Saito, Takumi; Aoyagi, Noboru   ; Kobayashi, Taishi*; Takagi, Ikuji*; Kimura, Takaumi ; Tachi, Yukio  

The influences of pH and the concentrations of Eu and NaNO on the sorption of Eu to Na-montmorillonite were investigated through batch sorption measurements and time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). The pH had a little effect on the distribution coefficients (Kd) in 0.01 M NaNO, whereas the Kd strongly depended on pH at 1 M NaNO. A cation exchange model combined with a one-site non-electrostatic surface complexation model was successfully applied to the measured Kd. The TRLFS spectra of Eu sorbed were processed by parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC), which corresponded to one outer-sphere (factor A) and two inner-sphere (factor B and C) complexes. It turned out that factors A and B correspond to Eu sorbed by ion exchange sites and inner-sphere complexation with hydroxyl groups of the edge faces, respectively. Factor C became dominant at relatively high pH and ionic strength and likely correspond to the precipitation of Eu(OH) on the surface.