Adsorptive removal of uranium from water by sulfonated phenol–formaldehyde resin

Abstract

AbstractAdsorption characteristics of a sulfonated phenol‐formaldehyde resin (SPR) have been studied for U removal from aqueous solution by means of batch method. Adsorption experiments have been carried out as a function of contact time, solution/adsorbent ratio, particle size and pH. Adsorption isotherm has been evaluated by changing adsorbent dosage in the range of 0.04–80 g/L at an initial uranyl nitrate concentration of 0.05 mol/L. The enormous adsorption capacity of 0.29 mol/g estimated from the plateau region of the S shaped isotherm is well comparable the Langmuir capacity of 0.31 mol/g. Equilibrium data are also adequately well described by the Freundlich and the Dubinin‐Radushkevich (D‐R) isotherm equations. The parameters of the isotherms and pH dependency of distribution coefficients (KD) indicate that polymeric uranyl chains form on bidentate surface complex as a result of solute–solute interactions on the adsorbent surface. Both desorption and elution studies show that uranyl chains are irreversibly bounded on the SPR. Kinetic curves having a fast initial part followed by a slower process well fit both McKay model based on two‐resistance diffusion and Nernst‐Plank model with single diffusion coefficient. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009