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Investigation of U(VI) and Th(IV) Adsorption Behavior onto El-Zafarana Silica Sand Modified with Metal Oxides

  • PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY OF WATER TREATMENT PROCESSES
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Abstract

El-Zafarana silica sand (ZSS) was modified with ZnO and CuO forming the new adsorbent ZnO−CuO/ZSS for removing U(VI) and Th(VI) from aqueous solutions. The removal process was performed in a series of batch experiments. The prepared adsorbent was characterized using different analysis techniques: scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The influence of various parameters: pH, contact time, initial concentration, and temperature, on the adsorption process was studied. Kinetics and isothermal data reveal the chemisorption and the homogenous adsorption process with maximum adsorption capacities of 73.31 and 64.93 mg/g for at pH 6 and 5 for U(VI) and Th(IV), respectively. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH°, ΔS°, ΔG°) confirm the endothermic nature of the adsorption process. The desorption study was carried out and found that ZnO–CuO/ZSS can effectively recover U(VI) and Th(IV) by 0.01 M HNO3. The results indicate that ZnO–CuO/ZSS is an efficient adsorbent for U(VI) and Th(IV) from aqueous solutions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Safeguards and Physical Protection Department, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt

    O. A. Elhefnawy & A. A. Elabd

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  1. O. A. Elhefnawy
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  2. A. A. Elabd
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Correspondence to O. A. Elhefnawy.

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The data supporting this study’s findings are available on request from the corresponding author, who therefore bears the total responsibility of the contents of Supporting Information thus supplied.

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Elhefnawy, O.A., Elabd, A.A. Investigation of U(VI) and Th(IV) Adsorption Behavior onto El-Zafarana Silica Sand Modified with Metal Oxides. J. Water Chem. Technol. 45, 419–428 (2023). https://doi.org/10.3103/S1063455X23050053

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