Lysozyme@Fe3O4 composite adsorbents with enhanced adsorption rates and uranium/vanadium selectivity by photothermal property

Herein, magnetic lysozyme@Fe3O4 composites have been fabricated via the amyloid-like assembly for the uranium extraction. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles and lysozyme coatings endow the composite adsorbents with magnetism for facile recovery and excellent binding affinity towards uranium, respectively. In addition, the composite adsorbents also possess outstanding photothermal properties derived from the Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The photothermal property benefits not only adsorption rates but also selectivity. The solution temperatures would increase under the sunlight, resulting in faster diffusion rates of uranyl ions and more ions could be contacted with the composite adsorbents. Moreover, the adsorption enthalpies of uranium are much higher than that of vanadium. Therefore, higher solution temperatures could generate higher uranium/vanadium selectivity.

Automated summary

Magnetic lysozyme@Fe3O4 composites were prepared via amyloid-like assembly, which exhibited magnetism and excellent binding affinity towards uranium. In addition, the composites also showed outstanding photothermal properties. These properties facilitated the adsorption of uranyl ions and improved the selectivity under sunlight.