A Novel Preparation and Vapour Phase Modification of 2D-open Channel
Bio-adsorbent for Uranium Separation
Abstract
An economical and highly uranium extraction from seawater remains a
crucial task for energy sources and environmental safety. Aiming for
improving the mass transfer rate of uranium from seawater, a new
synthetic strategy was adopted to synthesize 2D-open channel microporous
bio-adsorbent for uranium extraction from seawater. Herein, a vapor
phase modification approach was adopted to graft divinylbenzene(DVB),
and polyacrylonitrile(AN) onto the surfaces of microporous frameworks
via a free radical polymerization method. The post-synthetic
functionalization was carried out by hydrothermal process, where
amidoxime groups are structure-directing agents to trap uranium.
Further, amidoxime groups not only enhanced hydrophilicity but also
adjusts adsorbents pKa. AO-Fc faces minimum interference of competing
ions and achieves a high uranium adsorption capacity of 8.57±0.02 and
409±1 mg/g in seawater and simulated solution. Despite its stable
structure, AO-Fc exhibits a long life span and negligible weight loss
revealed AO-Fc could be applied as a potential adsorbent for
radionuclides