Removal of Cs, Sr, U and Pu species from simulated nuclear waste effluent using graphene oxide

This article reports the findings from a series of radioactive experimental trials which have examined the sorption properties of graphene oxide focused on four key radionuclides commonly linked to effluent challenges in the nuclear industry—Cs, Sr, U and Pu. Unlike previous experimental studies, simulated effluent waste solutions were utilised with compositions typical of those found at the Sellafield nuclear site, UK. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed in parallel to elucidate the functional groups to which radionuclides preferentially adsorb.