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Removal of U(VI) in Aqueous Solution by Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron(nZVI)

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Abstract

The nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) was synthesized by reduction of ferric chloride with sodium borohydride and characterized by SEM and XRD. The removal of U(VI) from aqueous solution by nZVI was investigated. The paper investigates the influence factors such as solution pH, initial U(VI) concentration, contact time and temperature on removal of U(VI) by nZVI with batch experiments and discusses the reduction kinetics characteristic. The results showed that U(VI) can be effectively removed from aqueous solution by nZVI, the reduction process followed the pseudo first-order kinetics. The apparent rate constant was proportional to nZVI concentration. The temperature had certain effect on removal of U(VI), the apparent rate constant increased with increase in temperature. The reaction activation energy E a was 28.5±0.435 kJ/mol, which was below the ordinary chemical reaction activation energy (60∼250 kJ/mol), so the reaction was easy to take place. The pH value had significant influence on the removal of U(VI), weakly acidic conditions were favorable to the removal of U(VI). For the fast reaction kinetics and high U(VI) removal capacity, nZVI has the potential to become an effective remedial agent for in situ remediation of uranium-contaminated soil and groundwater.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financed by the Natural Science Foundation of China (11205030, 41201500), State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China Institute of Technology (101111) and Fundamental Science on Radioactive Geology and Exploration Technology Laboratory, East China Institute of Technology (2011RGET06, REGT1220). The authors thank the anonymous reviewers for their comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China Institute of Technology, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, 330013, China

    Xiaoyan Li, Ming Zhang, Yibao Liu, Xun Li, Yunhai Liu, Rong Hua & Caiting He

  2. Fundamental Science on Radioactive Geology and Exploration Technology Laboratory, East China Institute of Technology, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, 330013, China

    Xiaoyan Li, Ming Zhang, Yibao Liu, Xun Li, Yunhai Liu, Rong Hua & Caiting He

  3. China Institute of Atomic Energy, FangShan, Beijing, 102413, China

    Xun Li

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  1. Xiaoyan Li
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Correspondence to Xiaoyan Li.

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Li, X., Zhang, M., Liu, Y. et al. Removal of U(VI) in Aqueous Solution by Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron(nZVI). Water Qual Expo Health 5, 31–40 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-013-0084-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-013-0084-4

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