Efficient scavenging of uranium (VI) using porous hexagonal boron nitride by a combined process of surface adsorption and induced precipitation crystallization

An ammonium/hydroxyl-enriched p-BN microrods were synthesized and the adsorption behavior of uranyl on p-BN was systematically studied. The adsorption kinetic and isotherm studies revealed the adsorption behavior is independent on electrostatic attraction or chemisorption. The results demonstrate uranyl hydrolyzed precipitated crystals are formed on the surface of p-BN at an optimized pH of 2.86 and the maximum adsorption capacity can reach 413 mg g⁻¹ at T = 303 K. A hypothetical adsorption mechanism with a combination of surface adsorption and induced precipitation crystallization was proposed.