Investigation of U(VI) adsorption properties of poly(trimesoyl chloride-co-polyethyleneimine)

A new synthetic method was designed to prepare poly (trimesoyl chloride-co-polyethyleneimine) (PEI-TMC). Characterization of PEI-TMC was investigated by FTIR, SEM, EDS, XPS, TGA, and BET. TGA test revealed that the PEI-TMC had excellent thermal stability. The BET specific surface area (4.74 m(2) g(-1)) and pore diameter of about 9.44 nm indicated that PEI-TMC possessed a mesoporous structure. The adsorption behavior of U(VI) on the PEITMC was investigated. The thermodynamic analysis showed that the process of PEI-TMC adsorption of U(VI) was endothermic and spontaneous, and the adsorption efficiency was better at higher temperatures. The U(VI) sorption on PEI-TMC was conformed to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The adsorption mechanism of U(VI) with PEI-TMC was systematically elucidated by XPS and FTIR. Under the best condition, the maximum adsorption capacity of PEI-TMC could reach 212.8 mg g(-1) by calculating the Langmuir isothermal model. It indicated that PEI-TMC was a potential adsorbent for the treatment of U(VI)containing wastewater.

Automated summary

The new synthetic method designed to prepare PEI-TMC showed excellent thermal stability and mesoporous structure, with significant adsorption capacity for U(VI) following Langmuir and pseudo-second-order kinetic models.