Highly-efficient and easy separation of γ-Fe2O3 selectively adsorbs U(Ⅵ) in waters

Minhua Su; Hong Li; Zequan Liu; Hairong Peng; Shuai Huang; Ying Zhou; Changzhong Liao; Gang Song; Diyun Chen

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2022.112917

Highly-efficient and easy separation of γ-Fe₂O₃ selectively adsorbs U(Ⅵ) in waters

Environ Res. 2022 Jul:210:112917. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.112917. Epub 2022 Feb 11.

Authors

Minhua Su¹, Hong Li², Zequan Liu², Hairong Peng², Shuai Huang², Ying Zhou³, Changzhong Liao³, Gang Song², Diyun Chen⁴

Affiliations

¹ Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China. Electronic address: mhsu@gzhu.edu.cn.
² Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
³ Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
⁴ Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China. Electronic address: cdy@gzhu.edu.cn.

PMID: 35151660
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.112917

Abstract

The migration and transformation of uranyl [U (Ⅵ)] ions in the environment are quite dependent on the geological condition in particular with the site enriched in Fe. In this study, the interfacial interaction of U (Ⅵ) ions with maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃) particles was studied and the interaction mechanism was explored as well. Batch experiments confirm that γ-Fe₂O₃ can effectively remove U (Ⅵ) from an aqueous solution within a relatively short reaction time (R% > 92.01% within 3 min) and has a considerable capacity for U (Ⅵ) uptake (q_t: 87.35 mg/g). γ-Fe₂O₃ displays an excellent selectivity for U (Ⅵ) elimination. Results on the effects of natural organic matter such as humic acid (HA) indicated that HA could promote the interfacial interaction between γ-Fe₂O₃ and U (Ⅵ) under acidic conditions. Compared with other radionuclides (e.g., Sr(Ⅱ) and Cs(Ⅰ)), U (Ⅵ) was more effectively removed by γ-Fe₂O₃. The U (Ⅵ) removal by γ-Fe₂O₃ is primarily due to electrostatic interactions and precipitation that result in the long-term retardation of uranium. γ-Fe₂O₃ not only can fast and selectively adsorb U (Ⅵ) but also can be magnetically recycled, demonstrating that γ-Fe₂O₃ is a cost-effective and promising material for the clean-up of uranyl ions from radioactive wastewater.

Keywords: Humic acid; Maghemite; Magnetic recovery; U(Ⅵ).

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adsorption
Humic Substances / analysis
Uranium*
Wastewater
Water Pollutants, Chemical*

Substances

Humic Substances
Waste Water
Water Pollutants, Chemical
Uranium