Solid phase extraction of uranium on a new brush type graft copolymer and spectrophotometric determination of its in water samples

Abstract

A new versatile solid phase extraction and spectrophotometric determination of uranium (VI) was proposed with using poly(caprolactone-b-vinyl benzyl chloride-g-dimethyl amino ethyl methacrylate), poly(CL-b-VB-g-DMAEMA), amphiphilic brush type block/graft copolymer. The method is based on the adsorption of uranium(VI)-pyrocatechol violet complex on surface on the adsorbent. The parameters such as pH, amount of ligand and copolymer, sample volume were optimized. Detection limit, preconcentration factor and relative standard deviation were found as 0.45 µg L−1, 100 and 3.8 %, respectively. Adsorption capacity of the polymer for uranium(VI) was found 52 mg g−1. The method was applied to different water samples and standard reference materials.