Sb-Doped Zirconium Dioxide Submicron Fibers For Separation Of Pertechnetate (Tco4-) From Aqueous Solutions

Submicron ZrO(2)fibers with three different Sb-doping levels (5, 10 and 15 cation%) were produced with an electroblowing synthesis for removal of(99)TcO(4)(-). The Sb-doped ZrO(2)fibers showed high selectivity toward(99)TcO(4)(-), which was not interfered by ClO4-, NO(3)(-)or Cl(-)ions and showed no selectivity toward ReO4-. The optimal pH range for the(99)Tc separation was 2-6 but the Sb-doped fibers maintained very high uptake level throughout the studied pH range of 1-10. According to the uptake experiments, Sb(III) is assumed to reduce Tc(VII) to Tc(IV) that is then adsorbed by the zirconia surface.