Removal and recovery of uranium(VI) by adsorption onto a lignocellulosic-based polymeric adsorbent containing amidoxime chelating functional group

A new adsorbent (ABS) with amidoxime functional group was prepared through graft polymerization of acrylonitrile onto banana stem (BS) using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN)/HNO₃ initiator system, followed by treatment with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in alkaline solution. Infrared spectroscopy, surface area analyzer, thermogravimetry, and potentiometric titration were used for the characterization of the adsorbent. Effective removal of U(VI) ions was demonstrated at the pH range 4.0–6.0. The mechanism for the removal of U(VI) ions by ABS was based on complexation adsorption model. Equilibrium was achieved in approximately 3 h. The experimental kinetic data were analyzed using first-order, second-order, and Elovich kinetic models, and are well fitted with second-order kinetics. The temperature dependence indicates an exothermic process. U(VI) adsorption was found to decrease with increase of ionic strength. The Freundlich isotherm model fitted the experimental equilibrium data well. The adsorption efficiency was tested using synthetic nuclear industry effluents. The maximum adsorption capacity for U(VI) removal was found to be 80 mg g^-1 at 20°C. Adsorbed U(VI) ions were desorbed effectively, about 99% by 0.2 M HCl. Repeated adsorption/desorption cycles show the feasibility of the ABS for the removal of U(VI) ions from water and nuclear industry effluents.