Effect of the surface hydration of clay minerals on the adsorption of cesium and strontium from dilute solutions

The use of clay minerals for the decontamination of liquid radioactive waste generated during the work of nuclear energy enterprises remains currently relevant. The effect of the surface hydration of a montmorillonite nanocrystal on the adsorption of cesium and strontium ions from dilute solutions was studied. As opposed to the generally accepted mechanism of the adsorption of cesium and strontium ions on active sites of clay mineral crystals, we considered the adsorption of radiocesium and radiostrontium by montmorillonite taking into account its colloidal chemical properties. When montmorillonite nanocrystals interact with water, a double electric layer with a mobile diffuse ionic atmosphere forms on the surface of the solid phase. The adsorption of cesium and strontium ions from dilute aqueous solutions confines itself to ion-exchange reactions of cesium and strontium ions of a dispersion medium with exchange cations of the diffuse ionic atmosphere of montmorillonite. Enhanced adsorption of cesium ions compared with strontium ions was explained by low charge density on the outer shell of cesium ions and the ability of cesium ions to overcome the diffuse ionic atmosphere easily and to be fixed firmly on the outer surface of the montmorillonite nanocrystal.