Efficient removal of uranium(VI) from aqueous systems by heat-treated carbon microspheres

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2013 Nov;20(11):8202-9. doi: 10.1007/s11356-013-1788-5. Epub 2013 May 29.

Abstract

In this study, uranium(VI) was successfully removed from aqueous solutions using heat-treated carbon microspheres based on a batch adsorption technique. Influence of the parameters, such as solution pH, contact time, initial uranium(VI) concentration, and temperature on the removal efficiency have been investigated in detail. The results reveal that the maximum adsorption capacity of the heat-treated carbon microspheres toward uranium(VI) is 92.08 mg g(-1), displaying a high efficiency for the removal of uranium(VI) from aqueous solution. The experimental data are analyzed using sorption kinetic models. It is revealed that the process obey the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, the determining step might be chemical sorption. The thermodynamic parameters, such as ΔH°, ΔS°, and ΔG° show that the process is endothermic and spontaneous. This work provides an efficient, fast, and convenient approach for the removal of uranium(VI) from aqueous solutions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Carbon / analysis
  • Carbon / chemistry*
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation / methods
  • Hot Temperature
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Kinetics
  • Microspheres*
  • Models, Chemical
  • Thermodynamics
  • Uranium / analysis
  • Uranium / chemistry*
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive / chemistry*
  • Water Purification / methods

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Uranium
  • Carbon