Comparison of uranium extraction from model fresh water on TiO–PAN and NaTiO–PAN composite absorbers

Abstract

Possibility of uranium extraction on titanium oxide (TiO)–polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and sodium titanate (NaTiO)–PAN composite absorbers prepared from hydrated TiO and NaTiO embedded into a matrix of PAN binder was studied. Both TiO–PAN and NaTiO–PAN absorbers might be advantageous for repeated extraction of uranium from fresh water. Appropriate flow rates were found up to 60 BV h−1 for both the absorbers. Elution of uranium and regeneration of both the absorbers may be accomplished by hydrochloric acid solutions of concentration 0.1 mol L−1 and more. Practical sorption capacity (up to 10 % break-through) from tap water containing 2.3 μg U mL−1 was ~4.6 and ~1.5 mg of uranium per 1 mL of swollen TiO–PAN and NaTiO–PAN absorber, respectively.