Functionalization of clay surface for the removal of uranium from water

Li Bao; Fuyu Guo; Hanrui Wang; Steven L Larson; John H Ballard; Heather M Knotek-Smith; Qinku Zhang; Jing Nie; Ahmet Celik; Saiful M Islam; Shalom Dasari; Naiming Zhang; Fengxiang Han

doi:10.1016/j.mex.2021.101275

Functionalization of clay surface for the removal of uranium from water

MethodsX. 2021 Feb 19:8:101275. doi: 10.1016/j.mex.2021.101275. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry, Physics and Atmospheric Science, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA.
² Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China.
³ U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199, USA.

Abstract

A modification method of clay mineral surface was developed to improve its adsorption capacity of uranium. Uranium is a radionuclide with high toxicity and extremely long half-life, which can pollute the environment and endanger human health. This study proposes a new method of activation of clay mineral surface with phosphoric acid for rapid adsorption of uranium from aqueous solution. Compared with other modification methods, this method has the advantages of availability of raw materials, simple operation and good adsorption effects. It provides a cost-effective material to capture uranium ions from water. The essences of this new development are as following: • Activation and changes of clay minerals' surface functionalities with the treatment of phosphoric acid • Controlled modifications of the surface properties of the clay towards the enhancement of U adsorption capacity • Rapid removal of uranium from water.

Keywords: Adsorption; Clay minerals; Phosphoric acid; Surface functionalization; Uranium removal.