Equilibrium adsorption isotherm of U(VI) at pH 4 and pH 5 onto synthetic magnetite nanoparticles

Abstract

The adsorption features of synthetic magnetite nanoparticles have been investigated for removal of uranyl ions from nitric solutions. These magnetic nanoparticles can be used to adsorb contaminants in wastewater and can subsequently be removed from the medium by a magnetic process because of their superparamagnetic behaviour. The magnetite nanoparticles were synthesised by simultaneous precipitating of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions in a NaOH solution. Batch experiments were carried out to investigate the adsorption of UO22+ ions from nitric solution, pH 4 and 5, onto magnetic nanoparticles. Two minutes of application of a magnetic field were sufficient for removing the magnetite nanoparticles from the liquid medium. Equilibrium adsorption isotherm was evaluated using Freundlich and Langmuir models. The adsorption was between 40% and 80% under conditions studied.