The synthesis of core-shell magnetic dendritic fibrous nano-silica for the fast and selective capture of U(VI)

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 638; p. 157969
• Main Authors: Wang, Fang, Li, Tingting, Liao, Yun, Xia, Liangshu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 30.11.2023
• Subjects: Core-shell Fe3O4 Silica Amino U(VI); Core-shell Fe3O4 Silica Amino U(VI)
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2023.157969

[Display omitted] •A novel magnetic nanoparticle (Fe3O4@DFNS-NH2) with core-shell and fibrous structure was fabricated as the absorbent for U(VI).•The fibrous and open pores of Fe3O4@DFNS-NH2 facilitate the transfer and diffusion of U(VI) ions.•Fe3O4@DFNS-NH2 exhibited fast adsorption kinetics and good selectivity toward U(VI).•The interaction mechanism was proposed. With the rapid development of nuclear industry, a large amount of U(VI)-containing wastewater is inevitably generated and poses a serious threat to the environment. Hence, it is of great significance to remove U(VI) from aqueous solution. Herein, a novel magnetic absorbent (Fe3O4@DFNS-NH2) with core–shell and fibrous structure for U(VI) capture was fabricated. The magnetic core can make the adsorbent separated conveniently from solution and the functional porous shell facilitates the fast capture of U(VI). Batch experiments were carried out to investigate the performance of the magnetic absorbent. The U(VI) adsorption onto Fe3O4@DFNS-NH2 reached equilibrium within 60 min at pH 6 and the adsorption capacity reached 255.2 mg g−1. The adsorption followed the pseudo-second order model and Langmuir isotherm model, indicating the nature of monolayer chemisorption. In addition, Fe3O4@DFNS-NH2 exhibited good selectivity toward U(VI) in the presence of metal ions (K+, Cs+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Sr2+and Eu3+). FT-IR and XPS analysis demonstrated that U(VI) was anchored onto Fe3O4@DFNS-NH2 through the surface complexation with amino groups. These findings manifest that Fe3O4@DFNS-NH2 shows great potential to remove U(VI) from nuclear wastewater.