Low-temperature plasma induced phosphate groups onto coffee residue-derived porous carbon for efficient U(VI) extraction

For the continuous utilization of nuclear energy and efficient control of radioactive pollution, low-cost materials with high efficient U(VI) removal are of great importance. In this study, low temperature plasma method was applied for the successful modification of O-phosphorylethanolamine (O-PEA) on the porous carbon materials. The produced materials (Cafe/O-PEA) could adsorb U(VI) efficiently with the maximum sorption capacity of 648.54 mg/g at 1 hr, T=298 K, and pH=6.0, much higher than those of most carbon-based composites. U(VI) sorption was mainly controlled by strong surface complexation. From FTIR, SEM-EDS and XPS analyses, the sorption of U(VI) was related to the complexation with -NH₂, phosphate and -OH groups on Cafe/O-PEA. The low temperature plasma method was an efficient, environmentally friendly and low-cost method for surface modification of materials for the effective enrichment of U(VI) from aqueous solutions.