Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: New Method for Rapid Separation of Uranyl Ions from Aqueous Solutions

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Abstract:
Iranian researchers from Birjand University managed to provide an efficient means for rapid and selective adsorption of uranyl ions from aqueous samples with the help of an external magnetic field.

New Method for Rapid Separation of Uranyl Ions from Aqueous Solutions

Tehran, Iran | Posted on September 6th, 2012

The mentioned research group has set its main goal on preparing selective and environmentally friendly adsorbents for fast separation and concentration of uranyl and thorium from aqueous solutions, for quite a while. According to their latest findings, modified ferromagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles hold promise for enabling rapid separation of uranyl ions from water samples.

To fulfill the goal, magnetic nanoparticles coated by silica nanoparticles had to be synthesized in the first step.

"Within the initial step of our work, ferromagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles with dimensions less than 20 nm were prepared through the sol-gel method. Then, these particles were coated by nano silica particles and modified by amino propyl triethoxy silane and quercetin, subsequently. The ultimate substance represented a novel and efficient adsorbent for uranyl ions from aqueous environments," Dr. Susan Sadeqi, the chief researcher of the group, explained.

In addition to being eco-friendly and efficient, the proposed adsorbent is regenerable and exhibits high selectivity with respect to uranyl.

"Although magnetic nanoparticles, in general, can realize the separation of uranyl and other ionic species, they cannot handle complex matrices (samples comprising of several ion species) as they lack selectivity. That is in fact why we modified the initially-synthesized nanoparticles," Sadeqi added.

Thanks to the advantages of the above-mentioned adsorbent material, they are anticipated to find applications in water and wastewater treatment facilities.

An elaborate scientific report discussing the details of this research work has been recently published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, volume 215-216, 2012, pages 208 to 216.

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