Removal of uranium(VI) from aqueous solution using nanoscale zero-valent iron supported on activated charcoal

Abstract

The nanoscale zero-valent iron supported on activated charcoal (nZVI/AC) by the reduction of ferrous sulfate heptahydrate with sodium borohydride was synthesized for uranium(VI) adsorption. The nZVI/AC was characterized using X-ray radiation diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms and adsorption thermodynamics were also examined. The adsorption capacity reached 492.6 mg/g when dosage was 0.5 g/L, initial concentration of uranium(VI) was 250 mg/L, pH was 5, temperature was 35 °C and time was 60 min. The experimental results indicated that nZVI/AC possessed many advantages such as simple and economy for preparation, less adsorbent dosage, short balance time, high adsorption ratio and adsorption capacity. The synthesized adsorbent is promising to efficiently treat the uranium-contained wastewater.