Facile Synthesis of MXene/MnO2 Nanocomposites for Efficient Removal of Radionuclide Uranium

• Published in: Crystals (Basel) Vol. 13; no. 5; p. 804
• Main Authors: Wang, Ling, Liu, Yi-Lin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 11.05.2023
• Subjects: Adsorption; adsorption performance; Calcium chloride; Chloride; Cleaning agents; Composite materials; Fluorides; Humic acids; Hydrochloric acid; Manganese dioxide; MnO2; MXene; MXenes; Nanocomposites; Nitrates; Nitrogen; Nuclear energy; Nuclear reactor components; Nuclear reactors; Pollution control; Potassium; Radioisotopes; Sodium; Uranium; Wastewater
• ISSN: 2073-4352; 2073-4352
• DOI: 10.3390/cryst13050804

The efficient removal of radionuclide uranium is crucial for sustainable nuclear energy and achieving a zero-carbon loop. In this study, we synthesized MXene/MnO2 nanocomposites and evaluated their ability to adsorb and reduce uranium. The results showed that the nanocomposites achieved a uranium removal rate of 99% and an adsorption capacity of 696 mg/g. Adsorption experiments were conducted under different conditions, including pH, cation, anion, and humic acid, and the uranium removal rate by the composite remained high at 91%, 70%, and 60% under the influence of pH = 4.97, 1.0 mM CaCl2, and 20 mg/L humic acid, respectively. The XRD and SEM analyses revealed that the uranium element was removed by the reduction and fixation of the composite material. These findings indicate that the MXene/MnO2 composite is an effective adsorption cleaning agent for the purification of radioactive nuclear wastewater, which has significant implications for pollution control.