Synthesis of polyamidoxime-functionalized nanoparticles for uranium(VI) removal from neutral aqueous solutions

It is important to separate uranium(VI) from water environment due to its high toxicity and radioactivity. A new kind of polystyrene nanoparticles with polyamidoxime is reported here for removal of uranium(VI) from aqueous solutions. The obtained PSt nanoparticles have a tunable sorption capacity. The sorption process follows pseudo-second-order kinetics, and the equilibrium can be reached within 6 h. Furthermore, the optimal pH value of sorption process is 6.5, and the adsorbents can be recycled well for uranium(VI) sorption from aqueous solution. This work indicates that the polyamidoxime-functionalized PSt nanoparticles may be used as a good adsorbent for the removal of uranium(VI) from neutral aqueous solution.