Composite Magnetic Sorbents Based on Iron Oxides in Different Polymer Matrices: Comparison and Application for Removal of Strontium

Introduction of magnetic nanoparticles into composite sorbents based on polymer matrices has received great attention due to the possibility of using cheap iron oxides and removing spent sorbents by means of magnetic separation. In the present paper, we discuss the problem of creating magnetic sorbents using two types of matrices as host materials: synthetic cation exchange resin and natural aminopolysaccharide chitosan. The possibilities of applying matrices for the in situ formation of oxide phases of a specified composition with the required content of an inorganic component in a composite material were estimated. The composition of the oxide phase formed in the composite material was studied, and particle sizes were evaluated by the method of X-ray diffraction analysis. Magnetic characteristics were investigated. Sorption characteristics with respect to strontium for the composites containing iron oxides were determined.