AUTHOR=Wang Renren , Xiao Hao , Tan Yi , Chen Luo , Zhou Yuhang , Xie Runfeng , Tan Chuan , Yang Yifei , Liu Cheng , Wang Hengyang , Yang Junxiao , Duan Tao , Zhu Lin 

TITLE=One-step hydrothermal synthesis of bismuth sulfide aerogel for efficient iodine capture

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Environmental Science

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/environmental-science/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1709936

DOI=10.3389/fenvs.2025.1709936

ISSN=2296-665X

ABSTRACT=The efficient capture of radioactive iodine is critical for nuclear safety due to its high mobility and toxicity. Bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) aerogel, synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method, demonstrates exceptional iodine adsorption performance. Characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and BET confirmed the material’s porous structure, which facilitated iodine uptake. Batch experiments revealed a high adsorption capacity of 1,204 mg/g, with kinetics and isotherms well described by the pseudo-second-order model and Freundlich isotherm, respectively, indicating that the adsorption process is dominated by chemisorption. The adsorption mechanism involves iodine phase transfer and subsequent formation of stable BiI3 phases, ensuring long-term immobilization. The Bi2S3 aerogel demonstrates superior chemical and thermal stability, high capture efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, further highlighting its practical potential for nuclear waste management. This work advances the design of bismuth-based adsorbents by combining high capacity, stability, and scalable synthesis, thereby offering a sustainable solution for radioactive iodine capture.