Lixia Zhang, Li Huang, Zehua Zeng, Jun Qian, Daoben Hua*，Zeta Potential-Assisted Sorption of Uranyl Tricarbonate Complex from Aqueous Solution by Polyamidoxime-Functionalized Colloidal Particles，Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics，2016，accepted.
Abstract:
Uranium(VI) is one of the main sources in nuclear energy and may cause severe effect to human health and environment, so it’s important to develop new method and material for uranium capture. A novel approach is reported here for efficient uranium sorption by polyamidoxime-functionalized colloids with Zeta potential-assistance. Specifically, the colloidal particles were prepared via emulsion polymerization with (3-acrylamidopropyl)trimethyl-ammonium chloride (MAPTAC). Zeta potential of the colloids could be controlled by the concentration of MAPTAC. The effects of pH, sorbent dose and competing ions on uranium(VI) sorption were investigated. The sorption process follows pseudo-second-order kinetics and can reach the equilibrium within 3.5 h at pH 7.8. The colloidal particles with high Zeta potentials showed higher selectivity, faster kinetics and larger capacity for the sorption of uranium(VI) in comparison with that of negative Zeta potential. This work may provide a new method for efficient uranium(VI) capture from aqueous solution through Zeta potential-assisted sorption.
