Phosphate-Based Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fibers for Efficient Removal of Uranium from Carbonate Solution Containing Fluoride Ions

Abstract

This work provides a cost-effective approach for preparing functional polymeric fibers used for removing uranium (U(VI)) from carbonate solution containing NaF. Phosphate-based ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE-g-PO4) fibers were developed by grafting of glycidyl methacrylate, and ring-opening reaction using phosphoric acid. Uranium (U(VI)) adsorption capacity of UHMWPE-g-PO4 fibers was dependent on the density of phosphate groups (DPO, mmol∙g−1). UHMWPE-g-PO4 fibers with a DPO of 2.01 mmol∙g−1 removed 99.5% of U(VI) from a Na2CO3 solution without the presence of NaF. In addition, when NaF concentration was 3 g∙L−1, 150 times larger than that of U(VI), the U(VI) removal ratio was still able to reach 92%. The adsorption process was proved to follow pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm model. The experimental maximum U(VI) adsorption capacity (Qmax) of UHMWPE-g-PO4 fibers reached 110.7 mg∙g−1, which is close to the calculated Qmax (117.1 mg∙g−1) by Langmuir equation. Compared to F−, Cl−, NO3−, and SO42− did not influence U(VI) removal ratio, but, H2PO4− and CO32− significantly reduced U(VI) removal ratio in the order of F− > H2PO4− > CO32−. Cyclic U(VI) sorption-desorption tests suggested that UHMWPE-g-PO4 fibers were reusable. These results support that UHMWPE-g-PO4 fibers can efficiently remove U(VI) from carbonate solutions containing NaF.

Covalent grafting of Diglycolamide functionalities over Merrifield resin for the uptake of trivalent f-block metal ions from acidic aqueous feed

“…The alkyl chain lengths of DGA moieties can be altered as per need but even such a versatile ligand has its limitations like adduct and micelle formation in high acidity. Researchers have tried to counter this disadvantage by using ligand facilitated adsorption [30][31][32][33][34], grafted polymeric resins or sorbents [35][36][37][38], using dendritic polymers [39][40], blending of extractants [41][42] or altering the structure of DGA (Diglycolamide) functionalties [4], [24], [29], [43][44][45][46].…”

Chain Entanglement of 2-Ethylhexyl Hydrogen-2-Ethylhexylphosphonate into Methacrylate-Grafted Nonwoven Fabrics for Applications in Separation and Recovery of Dy (III) and Nd (III) from Aqueous Solution

“…Currently, the effective separation and recovery of rare earths from an aqueous solution requires relatively simple processes [ 27 , 28 ]. Adsorption techniques using adsorbents, such as inorganic particles, ion-exchange resins, and polymer ligands, are attractive for the separation and recovery of rare-earth ions [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. This is because the adsorption process does not require much energy and water and can be easily operated anywhere by batch or column methods [ 37 ].…”

A novel ion-imprinted amidoxime-functionalized UHMWPE fiber based on radiation-induced crosslinking for selective adsorption of uranium

“…Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) ber was used as a substrate due to its high mechanical strength, excellent chemical corrosion resistance and impact resistance. 39,40 UHMWPE has been widely used for uranium extraction deployment for a long time. 40,41 In this work, rstly, UHMWPE bers were irradiated in air atmosphere at room temperature with an absorbed dose of 20 kGy.…”