5-Bromo-Ph4-BTPhen Ligand for Selective Removal of Strontium and Cobalt From Water

In this study, 5-bromo-2,9-bis(5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline (5-bromo-Ph4-BTPhen) was synthesized and evaluated for its ability to remove major radionuclides ($Cs^+$, $Sr^{2+}$, and $Co^{2+}$). The synthesized ligand removed both $Sr^{2+}$ and $Co^{2+}$ from $1mg\;L^{-1}$ aqueous solutions with extraction efficiencies of up to 99% at neutral and alkaline pH. The $Sr^{2+}$ and $Co^{2+}$ removal efficiencies decreased as a consequence of the higher bonding strengths of competing metal ions to the N-donor atoms in the cavity of the ligand; competing divalent ions affected the $Sr^{2+}$ and $Co^{2+}$ removal efficiencies more than monovalent ions.