Abstract
•A composite material was prepared and impregnated with organophosphorus extractant.•It was characterized using different analytical techniques.•Sorption of europium and neodymium ions onto the impregnated composite was investigated.•Kinetics and thermodynamics of the sorption process were studied.
Silica-based urea–formaldehyde (SiO2/UF) composite material was prepared and impregnated with organophosphorus extractant, namely; 2-ethylhexylphosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester, for removal of Eu3+ and Nd3+ from aqueous solutions. The sorption capacity of the impregnated SiO2/UF for Eu3+ and Nd3+ were determined and found to be 3.1 and 2.8meq/g, respectively. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model is applicable and the sorption process is controlled by intra-particle diffusion mechanism. The values of thermodynamic parameters indicated that the sorption process is spontaneous and has endothermic nature. The prepared impregnated composite is an efficient sorbent media and recommended for removal of some lanthanide elements from aqueous solution.