Sorption of uranium(VI) from aqueous solution using nanomagnetite particles; with and without humic acid coating

Abstract

In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) and iron oxide nanoparticles with humic acid coatings (Fe3O4/HA) were investigated for the removal of U(VI). The effect of contact time, adsorbent mass, U(VI) concentration, and pH was studied by batch technique. The sorption kinetic data follows pseudo-second order, while the isotherms obey Langmuir with Qmax values of 238.0, 195.6 mg/g for Fe3O4 and Fe3O4/HA, respectively. According to the study, humic acid decreases the sorption capacity of magnetite due to the formation of a polyanionic organic coating, altering the surface properties of the particles, reducing magnetite aggregation, and stabilizing magnetite suspension.