Adsorption and photocatalytic reduction of U(VI) in aqueous TiO2 suspensions enhanced with sodium formate

In this work, the effects of sodium formate on adsorption and photocatalytic reduction of U(VI) on the TiO2 surface were investigated. The results showed that sodium formate may enhance the adsorption of U(VI) on the TiO2 surface, the maximum adsorption capacity of U(VI) in the presence of sodium formate increased by 44 mg g(-1). In addition, the photocatalytic reduction of U(VI) can be also enhanced, the reduction rate constant of U(VI) in the presence of sodium formate increased 17-fold. Results from XPS analysis clearly indicated the reduction of U(VI) to U(IV) on the TiO2 surface.