Triggering selective uranium separation from aqueous solutions by using salophen-modified biochar fibers

Abstract

Salophen modified biochar fibers derived from Luffa cylindrica sponges were prepared and subsequently studied as a potential U(VI) adsorbent by batch-type experiments. The material was characterized by spectroscopic and microscopic methods, which revealed no significant changes of the textural properties upon modification. The material presents extraordinarily high maximum adsorption capacity values (qmax) for U(VI) even under acidic conditions (714 g kg−1 at pH 3 and 833 g kg−1 at pH 5.5). This increased affinity is attributed to the selective binding of U(VI) by salophen and could be of particular interest for the adsorption of uranium from process solutions and industrial wastewaters.