Enhanced sorbent properties by synergistic effect of biomass extract functional groups for effective uranium uptake from aqueous system.

Adsorption for uranium removal from aqueous systems has been extensively studied, due to its many advantages. However, the great costs and complexity of many sorbent preparation methods are still restricting the progress. Hence, this research aimed to introduce a novel, simple and green method for enhancing Amberlite IR-120 properties for U(VI) removal. Adsorption process parameters were evaluated by batch method and sorbent was characterized before and after uranium adsorption by FTIR, SEM and EDS analysis. The results demonstrated that sorbent was effective for U(VI) removal at pH 5, 100 mg dose with 60 mg/L of U(VI) concentration within 40 min at higher temperatures. The removal efficiency was 87.7% and process was found feasible according to thermodynamic data. Kinetic modelling showed best correlation with pseudo-second order model (r = 0.999) and applied isotherms could all describe investigated process suggesting a complex mechanism of U(VI) uptake. Effect of interfering ions (Pb(II), Ni(II) and Co(II)) in a concentration of 45 and 60 mg/L decreased U(VI) removal to 45%. Additionally, AAS method confirmed that used sorbent has significant affinity towards Pb(II). Desorption study revealed successful uranium recovery in up to 3 cycles of sorption/desorption. The EDS analysis revealed the uranium presence with 4.7% and FTIR analysis revealed bands characteristic for stretching vibrations of O=U=O. Proposed mechanism involved U(VI) uptake via non-covalent interactions, inter/intra-molecular hydrogen bonding and intraparticle diffusion. Techno-economic analysis showed that with used preparation method 1 g of ASP costs 0.022 $. Hence, this study offers a novel method for sorbents properties enhancements.