Magnetic graphene based nanocomposite for uranium scavenging

J Hazard Mater. 2017 Jan 15;322(Pt B):370-379. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.10.007. Epub 2016 Oct 21.

Abstract

Magnetic graphene based ferberite nanocomposite was tailored by simple, green, low cost and industrial effective method. The microstructure and morphology of the designed nanomaterials were examined via XRD, Raman, FTIR, TEM, EDX and VSM. The prepared nanocomposites were introduced as a novel adsorbent for uranium ions scavenging from aqueous solution. Different operating conditions of time, pH, initial uranium concentration, adsorbent amount and temperature were investigated. The experimental data shows a promising adsorption capacity. In particular, a maximum value of 455mg/g was obtained within 60min at room temperature with adsorption efficiency of 90.5%. The kinetics and isotherms adsorption data were fitted with the pseudo-second order model and Langmuir equation, respectively. Finally, the designed nanocomposites were found to have a great degree of sustainability (above 5 times of profiteering) with a complete maintenance of their parental morphology and adsorption capacity.

Keywords: Adsorption; Ferberite; Magnetic graphene; Nanocomposite; Uranium.