Preparation of amino-modified hydroxyapatite and its uranium adsorption properties

Abstract

The amino-hydroxyapatite (HAP-NH2) was synthesized by grafted amino functional groups onto hydroxyapatite. The uranium adsorption performance of HAP-NH2 was studied under different conditions. The results indicated that HAP-NH2 possessed high adsorption capacity (96 mg g−1), wide pH values range (2–8) and fast adsorption rate (20 min). The adsorption kinetic and adsorption isotherm models of HAP-NH2 revealed that the uranium adsorption process was belonged to chemical adsorption. Furthermore, the main forces between uranium ions and HAP-NH2 were attributed to hydroxyl, amino and phosphorous functional groups.