Enhanced adsorption behavior of Nd(III) onto D113-III resin from aqueous solution

An enhanced adsorption and desorption procedure of Nd(III) onto D113-III resin were prepared with various chemical methods. Batch studies were carried out with various pH, contact time, temperature and initial concentrations, and then column studies were conducted. The results showed that the optimal adsorption condition was at pH value of 6.90. The process was fast initially and arrived equilibrium within 60 h. The resin exhibited a high Nd(III) uptake as 232.56 mg/g at 298 K. The adsorption data fitted well with pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic parameters were studied, which indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. Thomas model was delineated here to predict the breakthrough curves based on the experimental column study data. In the elution test, 1 mol/L HCl solution could achieve a satisfactory elution rate, which indicated that D113-III resin could be regenerated and reused. Finally, the IR spectroscopic technique was undertaken, and a novel adsorption mechanism was proposed.