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Efficient Removal of U(VI) Using Functionalized Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanospheres
Author(s) -
Wang Fuxiang,
Li Chengyang,
Yang Weiting,
Dou Weixin,
Niu Cheng,
Liu Yanfeng,
Pan Qinhe
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemistryselect
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 34
ISSN - 2365-6549
DOI - 10.1002/slct.201901411
Subject(s) - adsorption , uranium , mesoporous silica , aqueous solution , mesoporous material , chemistry , chemical engineering , seawater , nuclear chemistry , inorganic chemistry , materials science , organic chemistry , catalysis , metallurgy , engineering , oceanography , geology
The capture and recycle uranium from wastewater is very important for the environmental protection and sustainable nuclear energy development. In this work, functionalized hollow mesoporous silica nanospheres bearing aminopropyl and Schiff base groups, abbreviated as HMSNs‐NH 2 and HMSNs‐SA, respectively, were prepared for the removal of U(VI) from aqueous solution. The effects of solution pH, adsorption kinetics, thermodynamics and isotherms, as well as the presence of competing metal ions on the uranium adsorption onto the two adsorbents were investigated in detail. It was found that both adsorbents showed largely enhanced adsorption capacity and good selectivity towards U(VI) than unfunctionalized HMSNs. The maximum adsorption capacities reach 499.72 mg/g for HMSNs‐NH 2 and 317.29 mg/g for HMSNs‐SA, which are at a high level compared with the reported functionalized mesoporous silica materials. Furthermore, both adsorbents can rapidly remove uranium with the removal rate more than 97% from tap water and 85% from seawater with injected uranium of 5 ppm. The findings of the present work provide new actinide adsorbents by combining organic ligands with hollow mesoporous matrixes.