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

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Electronic versions

  • James Amphlett
    University of Manchester
  • Mark Ogden
    University of Sheffield
  • Richard I. Foster
    University of Manchester
  • Nelish Syna
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
  • Karin Soldenhoff
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
  • Clint A. Sharrad
    University of Manchester
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.

Keywords

  • Uranium, polyamine, Ion exchange, EXAFS, Isotherm models
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1361-1370
Number of pages10
JournalChemical Engineering Journal
Volume334
Early online date8 Nov 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Feb 2018
Externally publishedYes
View graph of relations