Abstract
The removal of uranium from radioactive wastewater is an important step in nuclear waste management. In this study, a solid adsorbent was developed utilizing mesoporous alumina encapsulated within polyethersulfone (PES) beads for effective uranium extraction. The encapsulation process enhances the stability and selectivity of the material, while the mesoporous structure of alumina enables controlled mass transfer and optimal uranium adsorption. These composite beads were synthesized and thoroughly characterized, and their performance was evaluated for uranium removal from simulated radioactive wastewater. The synthesized materials have been characterized by FTIR, TGA–DSC, SEM, EDX and BET surface area analysis techniques to get complete insight into morphology, functionality and topography of materials. Batch adsorption experiments revealed rapid uranium uptake, reaching equilibrium within a short time frame. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be ~18 mg g−1. These findings establish the potential of mesoporous alumina-encapsulated PES beads as a promising candidate for uranium extraction, offering a valuable contribution to the advancement of radioactive waste treatment technologies.
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We thank the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Department of Atomic Energy and Government of India, for funding and associated infrastructure facilities.
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KHARWANDIKAR, B.K., SINGH, K.K. & TYAGI, A.K. Synthesis and characterization of nanostructured mesoporous alumina embedded PES beads for uranium extraction from aqueous radioactive waste. Bull Mater Sci 47, 79 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12034-024-03202-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12034-024-03202-7