Sorption of uranium on lead hydroxyapatite

Abstract

The uranium sorption from diluted aqueous solution onto lead hydroxyapatite was studied by using a batch-mode technique and the fluorimetric determination of uranium mass concentration. Partially crystallised lead hydroxyapatite [Pb10(PO4)6(OH)2] was obtained by direct precipitation and mild heating. This material presents very high specific surface, which is the key factor in the sorption of uranium from diluted solution. This material has a high ability to remove uranium (Kd,max from 5,661 to 18,833 ml/g, at 4 and 60 °C, respectively) in the chosen setup conditions (initial concentration of uranium 5 × 10−6 M and pH 5.65).