Abstract
The iron oxide (Fe3O4) embedded mesoporous silica was prepared and functionalized with diethylenetriamine (DETA) functional groups for the separation of uranium from aqueous medium. The prepared product was abbreviated as Fe-MCM-DETA. The Fe-MCM-DETA was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, particle size distribution, X-ray diffraction, BET surface area, BJH pore size distribution, thermogravimetry, FT-IR, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The adsorption of uranium on Fe-MCM-DETA was evaluated as a function of various aqueous phase parameters such as pH, duration of equilibration, concentration of uranium in the aqueous phase, and presence of interfering ions. The adsorption of uranium on Fe-MCM-DETA followed the second-order rate equation. The maximum adsorption capacity of uranium was determined to be ∼470 mg.g−1 at pH 6 by Langmuir adsorption isotherm modeling. The results obtained from adsorption studies and the physical properties of Fe-MCM-DETA were compared with DETA functionalized on Fe3O4 (Fe-DETA), silica gel (Si-DETA), and mesoporous silica (MCM-DETA). The uranium loaded on Fe-MCM-DETA was retrieved using Na2CO3 solution, the feasibility for recycling of Fe-MCM-DETA without much loss of adsorption capacity was studied, and the results are reported in this paper.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
