Selective adsorption of trivalent actinides from lanthanides onto activated carbons in acidic aqueous solution

Adsorption of trivalent actinides (An(III)) and lanthanides (Ln(III)) in acidic aqueous solution using activated carbons was investigated. Activated carbons exhibited significantly selective adsorption to An(III) over Ln(III) in acidic aqueous solution from about pH 1–4, independently of the starting materials, activation methods and specific surface areas.