Magnetic Sorbents for Removing U(VI) from Aqueous Media

Abstract

Sorption of U(VI) onto magnetic sorbents from aqueous media was studied. The limiting value of the U(VI) adsorption onto magnetite and magnetic potassium zinc hexacyanoferrate(II) at pH 5.0, calculated from the Langmuir equation, is 125 and 102 μmol g^–1, respectively. Natural components of waters, namely, Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions and fulvic acids at concentrations of up to 200 mg dm^–3, do not noticeably influence the U(VI) sorption onto magnetic sorbents. Owing to high selectivity (degree of recovery 87–91%) and possibility of separating the solid phase by magnetic separation, these sorbents show promise for removing U(VI) from mineralized mine water.