Preparation of a 3D multi-branched chelate adsorbent for high selective adsorption of uranium(VI): Acrylic and diaminomaleonitrile functionalized waste hemp fiber

Uranium(VI) is an important strategic resource in the development of nuclear energy with 4.5 billion tons in the seawater. However, because of the low concentration of U(VI) and the presence of multiple competing ions in seawater. It is a significant challenge for extracting U(VI) from seawater. In this study, a series of multi-branched HF-PAA-AO(n(n=1,2,3,4,5)) adsorption materials were prepared for the extraction of U(VI) from solution, and the adsorption properties of the adsorbents were investigated by batch experiments. The experimental results indicated that the HF-PAA-AO(5) material exhibits an excellent removal rate and the maximum adsorption capacity of HF-PAA-AO(5) is of 550.28 mg/g. Moreover, the adsorbent still maintains a high adsorption efficiency after five adsorption-desorption recycles. Meanwhile, the adsorbent showed superior selectivity and adsorption properties (removal rate > 89%) in modified artificial seawater. Therefore, the HF-PAA-AO(5) composite is considered to be a favorable potential adsorbent for capturing U(VI) from seawater.