Adsorption and Removal Technology for Cs⁺ in Aqueous Solution Using Poly-2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesolfonic acid (PAMPS) Hydrogel

Abstract

Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident in Japan caused a severe environmental pollution by the radioactive nuclides such as ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr. In this study, adsorption and removal of Cs⁺ in aqueous solution have been developed by using the hydrogel composed of poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid), abbreviated as PAMPS. By optimizing the degree of cross-linking of the PAMPS gel, higher adsorption capacity of Cs⁺ ion and lower water adsorption were achieved. Sulfo groups (−SO₃⁻) in the PAMPS hydrogel coordinate to Cs⁺ ions to remove them from the waste water. It proved that the newly developed PAMPS hydrogel could be a highly potential candidate for the Cs⁺-removal material.