Sorption of uranium(VI) from aqueous solution using nanomagnetite particles; with and without humic acid coating

In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) and iron oxide nanoparticles with humic acid coatings (Fe3O4/HA) were investigated for the removal of U(VI). The effect of contact time, adsorbent mass, U(VI) concentration, and pH was studied by batch technique. The sorption kinetic data follows pseudo-second order, while the isotherms obey Langmuir with Q(max) values of 238.0, 195.6 mg/g for Fe3O4 and Fe3O4/HA, respectively. According to the study, humic acid decreases the sorption capacity of magnetite due to the formation of a polyanionic organic coating, altering the surface properties of the particles, reducing magnetite aggregation, and stabilizing magnetite suspension.

Automated summary

This study investigated the removal of U(VI) using iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) and iron oxide nanoparticles with humic acid coatings (Fe3O4/HA). The effects of contact time, adsorbent mass, U(VI) concentration, and pH were studied using batch technique. The results showed that humic acid coatings decrease the sorption capacity of magnetite due to the formation of a polyanionic organic coating, altering the surface properties of the particles, reducing magnetite aggregation, and stabilizing magnetite suspension.