Polyamine functionalised ion exchange resins: Synthesis, characterisation and uranyl uptake

DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2017.11.040

Authors: J. T. M. Amphlett (The University of Manchester) , M. D. Ogden (University of Sheffield) , R. I. Foster (The University of Manchester; Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) , N. Syna (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation) , K. Soldenhoff (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation) , C. A. Sharrad (The University of Manchester)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal

State: Published (Approved)
Published: November 2017
Diamond Proposal Number(s): 12643

Abstract: A series of linear polyamine functionalised weak base anion exchange resins have been synthesised using the Merrifield resin and characterised using infra-red spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, elemental analysis and solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Uptake behaviour towards uranium (as uranyl) from sulfuric acid media has been assessed as a function of pH and sulfate concentration, with comparison to a commercially available weak base anion exchange resin, Purolite S985. Synthetic polyamine resins were seen to outperform the commercial resin at industrially relevant uranyl concentrations, with a trend of increased uptake being seen with increasing polyamine chain length. Uranium loading isotherm studies have been performed and fit with the Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm models, with a maximum loading capacity observed being 269.50 mg g-1 for the longest polyamine chain studied. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure experiments have been used to determine uranium coordination environment on the resin surface, showing a [UO2(SO4)3]4- species. This coordination knowledge was employed to develop an extraction mechanism and derive an isotherm model based on the law of mass action.

Journal Keywords: Uranium; Polyamine; Ion exchange; EXAFS; Isotherm models

Subject Areas: Chemistry, Materials


Instruments: B18-Core EXAFS

Added On: 14/11/2017 14:19

Discipline Tags:

Radioactive Materials Chemistry Materials Science Chemical Engineering Engineering & Technology Inorganic Chemistry

Technical Tags:

Spectroscopy X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS)