Binding and release of metallic cations by a polyaniline-based resin

The electrochemical control of the binding of metallic ions (actinides and a lanthanide) by redox active polyaniline resin, i.e., polyaniline doped by polystyrene sulfonate (Pani/PSSO3), has been studied. Electrochemical and nuclear techniques (cyclic voltammetry, α -counting, Rutherford backscattering) have been used in order to characterize the exchange of thorium, lanthanum and uranium cations, particularly in terms of reversibility and efficiency. This electrochemical process has been compared with the chemical one promoted merely by pH variation, and the efficiency of the two methods has been discussed for each type of cation.