Controllable polymerization of poly-DVB–VBC–g–AO resin via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization for uranium removal

Abstract

The surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was used to prepare poly-divinylbenzene(DVB)–vinylbenzylchloride(VBC)graft–amidoxime (AO) (PDVA) for the efficient removal of uranyl(VI) from aqueous solution with micro-concentration (mass fraction ranging from 0.01 to 1 %) and trace-concentration (mass fraction less than 0.01 %). By varying the ratio of DVB and VBC in ATRP process, it was to adjust the microstructure. The adsorption properties of adsorbents with micropore, mesopore and nanopore were studied and the maximum adsorption capacities of uranyl(VI) on the PDVA was 89.80, 115.40 and 84.30 mg/g in micro-concentration, 1.61, 1.90 and 1.52 mg/g in trace-concentration respectively.