Thermodynamic parameters of Cs+ sorption on natural clays

Abstract

The sorption behavior of Cs+ on kaolinite, chlorite-illite, and bentonite clays as a function of time, cation concentration, and temperature was studied using the radiotracer method. Sorption data were well represented by Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich type isotherms. Bentonite was found to have the highest sorption capacity and the highest exchange affinity to Cs+. In all three cases Cs+ sorption was found to be exothermic with ΔH° (kJ/mol) -13, -8, -19 and ΔS° (J/mol·K) -15, 31, and -3 for kaolinite, chlorite-illite, and bentonite, respectively. Negative ΔG° values were obtained in all cases, indicating the spontaneity of sorption. The magnitudes of ΔG° suggest that ion exchange is the primary sorption mechanism.