Adsorption of thorium (IV) by amorphous silica; response surface modelling and optimization

The amorphous SiO2 (200–300 nm) was synthesized as an absorbent and thorium adsorption of SiO2 was investigated using experimental and RSM method. The SiO2 particles were made for the adsorption of thorium from aqueous solutions, and characterized by particle size measurement, XRD and SEM. The adsorption of thorium process was optimized with RSM method. The correlation between four variables was modeled and studied. Under optimum conditions, the adsorption capacity of SiO2 particles was found to be 134.4 mg/g, the correlation coefficient (R2) and the F value was obtained 0.96 and 1.98 × 10−6, respectively. In addition, the adsorption isotherms were examined.