Evaluation of sugarcane bagasse as a natural adsorbent material for pre-concentration and separation of Ce, la, nd and Pr from aqueous solutions

• Grant number: 18/01672-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2018
• End date: December 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Pedro Vitoriano de Oliveira
• Grantee: Lucas Eduardo Oliveira Porto
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The project aims to evaluate the use of sugarcane bagasse as a material adsorbent of rare earth elements cerium (Ce), lanthanum (La), praseodymium (Pr) and neodymium(Nd) aiming at pre concentration and separation of aqueous solutions for determinations by ICP OES. To evaluate the adsorption potential of sugarcane bagasse, it will be previously washed with distilled water and dried in an oven. This material will be milled using an electronic mortar and pestle mill, and then a new acid wash dilution will be performed. The total solubilization of the ground bagasse, after washing with water and acid, to evaluate the basal concentration of the elements of interest, will be made in a closed vessel microwave using a mixture of reagents such as HNO3 and H2O2. Columns for preconception and separation of the elements of interest will be prepared using the material and the best pH conditions, analytic concentration, solution flow passing through the column, ionic strength will be studied for a better efficiency of the column and after the acids for elution (HNO3 or HCl) will be studied to ensure a pre-concentration. By determining the best conditions for the separation column, adsorption isotherms will be made for the studied elements. (AU)