Abstract
Uranium and thorium ions were selectively removed from aqueous solution using synthesized gum ghatti grafted poly(acrylamide) gum-g-poly(AAm) composite. A gamma radiation induced free radical copolymerization technique was used to synthesize the copolymer composite of gum-g-poly(AAm). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were used to characterize the graft copolymer gum-g-poly(AAm). The adsorption of uranium ions and thorium ions using the gum-g-poly(AAm) copolymer composites has been investigated in batch mode. The adsorptive characteristics were investigated by varying the pH, concentration and time for both ions. The adsorption method depends on the pH of each metal ion, and the highest adsorption percentage was achieved at pH 6.0. The adsorption statistics were justified by isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic models. The Langmuir adsorption model was revealed to be the best fitted monolayer arrangement, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 367.65 mg g−1 for the uranium ions and 125.95 mg g−1 for the thorium ions. The adsorption of metal ions occurred by the ion exchange process, which was specified through the rate controlling step with a best-fitted pseudo-second order kinetic rate model. Thermodynamic analysis shows that the ΔH and ΔS values for the uranium ions and thorium ions were positive. The negative ΔG values decreased with an increase in temperature, suggesting that the metal ion adsorption process was endothermic and spontaneous in behaviour.
Highlights
Uranium and thorium are essential nuclear fuel elements; the interests for these components have expanded tremendously and have found potential in the elds of super conductors, rechargeable batteries, propelled earthenware production and bre optics.[1]
The typical peaks of gum ghatti were observed at 3256 cmÀ1, 2943 cmÀ1 and 1620 cmÀ1, and are assigned to the –OH stretching mode of polysaccharide, and the stretching vibrations of the –CH group and –C]O group, respectively
The band at 1622 cmÀ1 contributing to the –C]O stretching mode indicated the presence of the acrylamide group
Summary
Uranium and thorium are essential nuclear fuel elements; the interests for these components have expanded tremendously and have found potential in the elds of super conductors, rechargeable batteries, propelled earthenware production and bre optics.[1]. The main composition of gum ghatti is sugar in the form of L-arabinose, Dgalactose, D-mannose, D-xylose and D-glucuronic acid in a 48 : 29 : 10 : 5 : 10 molar proportion. Impregnated cellulosic beads synthesized by the chemical precipitation method were employed for the removal of toxic U(VI) ions.[22] Using the plasma initiation method, gelatin-modi ed attapulgite was synthesized for the uptake of uranium.[23] The superabsorbent gra ed copolymer composite of poly(methacrylic acid) with cellulose/bentonite synthesised by the chemical initiation method (using potassium per sulphate as the initiator) was used for the recovery of thorium(IV).[24]. The relationships between the adsorbents' behaviour and their competence, as well as the adsorption mechanism, are evaluated by equilibrium adsorption isotherms, and by kinetic and thermodynamic assessment
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