Utilization of a Novel Polymer-Clay Material for High Elimination of Hazardous Radioactive Contamination Uranium(Vi) From Aqueous Environments

Abstract

In the current work, the effect of the poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylate)-grafted kaolin (PAEMA@KLN) was investigated for the potential removal of U(VI) from aqueous samples. This novel adsorbent prepared for U(VI) removal was characterized by various techniques (Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)). Response surface methodology (RSM) was utilized to optimize and model the removal of U(VI) by PAEMA@KLN from aqueous environments. The effects of different parameters such as pH, U(VI) concentration (Co), PAEMA@KLN dosage, and shaking time were optimized by central composite design (CCD) combined with RSM. The optimum points were numerically determined as 5.07 for pH, 35.16 mg/L for Co, 13.73 mg for PAEMA@KLN dosage, and 92.09 min for the shaking time. The maximum removal was obtained at 96.03% under the optimum conditions. The kinetic data was better described by the pseudo-second-order and Weber-Morris models. U(VI) removal onto PAEMA@KLN follows the Langmuir isotherm model. Thermodynamic studies showed that U(VI) removal by PAEMA@KLN was spontaneous and exothermic in nature. The results indicate that PAEMA@KLN is a promising adsorbent for the effective removal of radionuclides like U(VI) from aqueous media. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.