Selective adsorption of U(VI) from real mine water using an NH2-functionalized silica packed column

The adsorption of U(VI) from natural mine water (i.e. containing Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ as major cations, and Cl?, SO42? HCO3? anions) was investigated in dynamic mode using packed column high-capacity sorbents modified by NH2 organic moieties. use columns effective removing trace amounts species water. capacity obtained with amine functionalized SBA-15, a mesostructured silica, compared those commercial cationic exchange resin grafted silica. Hybrid mesoporous silica particularly were found to be very selective for removal (C0 ~ 300 ppbU) since 500 mg adsorbent able remove present 6 L Nevertheless, our results showed that mesostructuration did not play role capacity, only the functional group density important aqueous removal. This finding because cheaper can used instead such SBA-15. Furthermore, competitor ions Ca2+ HCO3?, commonly waters, also studied performing experiments synthetic solutions representative waters. Results coupling speciation modelling XPS measurements hydrogen carbonate had negative impact on amino however demonstrated amine-grafted could considered promising material level uranium