Adsorption characteristics of uranyl ions by manganese oxide coated sand in batch mode

In this paper, the sorption properties of manganese oxide coated sand (MOCS) towards uranium(VI) from aqueous solutions were studied in a batch adsorption system. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and infrared (IR) analyses were used to characterize MOCS. Parameters affecting the adsorption of uranium(VI), such as the contact time, salt concentration, competitive ions, temperature and initial uranium(VI) concentration, were investigated. The equilibrium adsorption data were analyzed by Langmuir, Freundlich and Redlich-Peterson models using nonlinear regressive analysis. The results indicated that the Langmuir and Redlich-Peterson models provided the best correlation of experimental data. The kinetic experimental data were analyzed using three kinetic equations including pseudo-first order equation, pseudo-second order equation and intraparticle diffusion model to examine the mechanism of adsorption and potential rate-controlling step. The process mechanism was found to be complex, consisting of both surface adsorption and pore diffusion. The effective diffusion parameter D (i) values estimated in the order of 10(-7) cm(2) s(-1) indicated that the intraparticle diffusion was not the rate-controlling step. Thermodynamic study showed that the adsorption was a spontaneous, endothermic process. Adsorbed U(VI) ions were desorbed effectively (about 94.7%) by 0.1 mol L-1 HNO3. The results indicated that MOCS can be used as an effective adsorbent for the treatment of industrial wastewaters contaminated with U(VI) ions.