Adsorption of U(VI) by Elodea nuttallii: equilibrium, kinetic and mechanism analysis

This study had been devoted to investigate the adsorption capacity and adsorption mechanism of Elodea nuttallii. Experimental investigation related to the adsorption behaviors of E. nuttallii toward uranium, regeneration and U(VI) adsorption capacity. The results showed that with the initial U(VI) concentration increased, the maximum adsorption capacity was reached at 3.92 mg/g, regeneration adsorption rate reached 55%, adsorption of U(VI) progress could be described by the Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order kinetics. FT-IR analysis indicated that multiple functional groups involve together in the process of adsorbing U(VI). Therefore, E. nuttallii is a potential absorbent for U(VI) removal from aqueous solution.