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A facile method for preparing three-dimensional graphene nanoribbons aerogel for uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) adsorption

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Abstract

An three-dimensional (3D) porous structure graphene oxide nanoribbons (GONRs) aerogel has been prepared via hydrothermal method to overcome the challenges of solid–liquid separation for powdered carbon-based nanomaterials. GONRs aerogel showed low density, good mechanical strength and easy separation from water. Uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) adsorption by GONRs aerogel was investigated by batch experiments, demonstrating their strongly pH-dependent, spontaneous and endothermic adsorption processes. GONRs aerogel exhibited the maximum U(VI)- and Th(IV)-uptake capacity (430.6 and 380.4 mg g−1, respectively) due to its large specific area (597.4 m2 g−1) and abundant oxygen-containing groups. This work suggests that GONRs aerogel has great potential for treatment of uranium and thorium-containing effluents.

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Acknowledgements

We appreciate the financial support from Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Mass Spectrometry and Instrumentation (East China University of Technology) (JXMS202015).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Mass Spectrometry and Instrumentation, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, 330013, Jiangxi, China

    Yang Li

  2. School of Nuclear Science and Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, 330013, Jiangxi, China

    Yang Li, Houjun He, Zuocong Liu, Zeen Lai & Yun Wang

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  1. Yang Li
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  2. Houjun He
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Correspondence to Yun Wang.

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Li, Y., He, H., Liu, Z. et al. A facile method for preparing three-dimensional graphene nanoribbons aerogel for uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) adsorption. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 328, 289–298 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-021-07619-w

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