Efficient Removal of U(VI) Using Functionalized Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanospheres

Abstract

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‐NH2 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‐NH2 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.

Study on Uranium Adsorption Property of Carbon Nanotubes Prepared by Molten Salt Electrolysis

“…11−13 Nanocarbon-based materials have shown many benefits of adsorption. 14 Silica-based materials, 15,16 titanium dioxide-based materials, 17 hydrogels, 18,19 magnetic materials, 20,21 biosorbents, 22,23 and nanocarbon-based materials 24−26 offer high levels of adsorption. In recent years, the carbon nanomaterials prepared by molten salt electrolysis have attracted the attention of researchers.…”

“…Silica-based materials, , titanium dioxide-based materials, hydrogels, , magnetic materials, , biosorbents, , and nanocarbon-based materials − offer high levels of adsorption. In recent years, the carbon nanomaterials prepared by molten salt electrolysis have attracted the attention of researchers. − The method reduces carbon dioxide into nanocarbon materials by capturing carbon dioxide through the electric current after melting cheap metal salts at high temperatures.…”

The preparation of dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide modified titanium dioxide for the removal of uranium

“…Among these methods, adsorption is an essential approach to remove uranium from wastewater due to its low cost, high e ciency, and environment friendly and adsorbent is a key factor to determine the nal effect of removal process (Ma et al 2019a). Various kinds of adsorbents, such as kaolinite, diatomite, goethite, sepiolite, zeolite, mesoporous silica, montmorillonite, hydrogel, and apatite, have been widely produced and applied for the removal of uranium , Wang et al 2019a). However, most of existing adsorbents can not meet current demand.…”

Phosphorus Ester Containing Mesoporous Silica as Novel High‐Effective Flame Retardant in Polyurethane and Polyester Coatings

“…Silica derivative products as flame retardant material are intriguing for their good thermal-stability, non-toxicity and no poisonous gases release during burning process. [14][15][16][17] These materials have performed significant influence in enhancing flame retardancy and thermal stability feature of polymeric materials. [18] Ultra-violet (UV)-curing technology presents various advantages when it is compared to other conventional polymerization methods; these advantages include short polymerization time, high chemical stability, decrease in energy consumption, and relatively cheap production.…”

“…Mesoporous silica (MPSs) materials has attracted many academically and industrial interest for its various application areas such as adsorption, catalysis, biological sensors and flame retardants, due to its unique properties like large surface area, low toxicity, controllable pore size and structure. Silica derivative products as flame retardant material are intriguing for their good thermal‐stability, non‐toxicity and no poisonous gases release during burning process [14–17] . These materials have performed significant influence in enhancing flame retardancy and thermal stability feature of polymeric materials [18] …”