Novel Phytic Acid-Based Supramolecular Material for Uranium Removal from Highly Acidic Media: Synthesis, Performance, and Mechanistic Insights

Abstract

The efficient adsorption and removal of U(VI) from nuclear wastewater is fetching growing interest due to its importance for the ecological environment and human health. In this study, we report a facile ionic self-assembly method to synthesize a phytic acid-based material denoted PE-x using phytic acid and ethylenediamine. PE-x was applied to remove U(VI) from a highly acidic aqueous solution with pH = 1.0. In batch adsorption experiments, PE-x showed fast removal kinetics for U(VI) with an equilibrium time around 10 min, excellent selectivity for An-Ln and U(VI) with a maximum selectivity of 97.8% and 76.2%, and a remarkable maximum adsorption capacity of 689.7 mg/g toward U(VI). Additionally, PE-x exhibited a considerable adsorption capacity of 282.6 mg/g in the fixed bed column test. The adsorption mechanism was investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicate a unique mechanism based on the reconstruction of the self-assembly framework involving U(VI) building blocks driven by positively charged species exchange. This study provides new insights and strategies for the design of enhanced uranium adsorbents under highly acidic conditions and extends the potential practical application of phytic acid for uranium capture from radioactive wastewater.

Efficient Removal of Pb2+, Cd2+, and Hg2+ from Wastewater Using Advanced Graphene Oxide-Zirconium Hybrid Composite

“…Based on this isotherm, one can distinguish whether the adsorbate–adsorbent interaction is physical or chemical. Also, it provides the adsorbate binding energy value involved in the adsorption process ( E , kJ/mol), which is calculated using eq E = 1 2 K normalD The χ 2 test statistic calculates the sum of squared differences between observed and model-predicted data, each divided by the corresponding model-predicted value.…”

“…Also, it provides the adsorbate binding energy value involved in the adsorption process (E, kJ/mol), which is calculated using eq 8. 56 E K…”

Theory-Driven Tailoring of the Microenvironment of Quaternary Ammonium Binding Sites on Electrospun Nanofibers for Efficient Bilirubin Removal in Hemoperfusion

“…Peaks at 2247 cm −1 and 1738 cm −1 were assigned to the vibrations of cyano groups and carbonyl groups of methacrylate copolymers [ 9 ]. The peaks at 2930 cm −1 and 2859 cm −1 belonged to the C-H stretching vibration of alkane groups [ 24 ]. After the amination reaction, the intensities of peaks at 2247 cm −1 and 1738 cm −1 were reduced in the spectrum of PAN-DA-NF.…”

Interaction between Uranyl Cations and Layered Double Hydroxide Nanoparticles: Implications for Nuclear Wastewater Management

“…Uranium (U) present in wastewaters produced via its mining, processing, and use in the nuclear fuel cycle is a significant environmental concern , with a range of potential ecotoxicological effects identified. , This includes the presence of U in the remediation of contaminated solutes produced during various processes associated with the nuclear fuel cycle, including U-mining, effluents from spent nuclear fuel reprocessing, nuclear fuel storage facilities, , U enrichment sites that are subject to decommissioning, , or cleanup procedures following the nuclear accidents. , To address these challenges, and especially when other radionuclides including transuranics such as plutonium and americium isotopes, and fission products including 90 Sr and 137 Cs may also be present, several studies have investigated U capture using various materials − including layered double hydroxides (LDHs) formed in situ − or prefabricated LDHs as adsorbents. ,− …”