Fast and Efficient Removal of Uranium onto a Magnetic Hydroxyapatite Composite: Mechanism and Process Evaluation

Processes

Nan Chen¹  Diyun Chen¹  Tao Ou¹  Hairong Peng¹  Qingpu Shi¹  Minhua Su¹  Jinfeng Tang² 

[1] Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China;School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China;

关键词: cobalt ferrite;    adsorption;    hydroxyapatite;    mineralization;    uranium(VI);   

DOI  :  10.3390/pr9111927

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The exploration and rational design of easily separable and highly efficient sorbents with satisfactory capability of extracting radioactive uranium (U)-containing compound(s) are of paramount significance. In this study, a novel magnetic hydroxyapatite (HAP) composite (HAP@ CoFe₂O₄), which was coupled with cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄), was rationally designed for uranium(VI) removal through a facile hydrothermal process. The U(VI) ions were rapidly removed using HAP@ CoFe₂O₄ within a short time (i.e., 10 min), and a maximum U(VI) removal efficiency of 93.7% was achieved. The maximum adsorption capacity (Q_max) of the HAP@CoFe₂O₄ was 338 mg/g, which demonstrated the potential of as-prepared HAP@CoFe₂O₄ in the purification of U(VI) ions from nuclear effluents. Autunite [Ca(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂(H₂O)₆] was the main crystalline phase to retain uranium, wherein U(VI) was effectively extracted and immobilized in terms of a relatively stable mineral. Furthermore, the reacted HAP@CoFe₂O₄ can be magnetically recycled. The results of this study reveal that the suggested process using HAP@CoFe₂O₄ is a promising approach for the removal and immobilization of U(VI) released from nuclear effluents.

【 授权许可】

Unknown