Sorption characteristic of uranium(VI) ion onto K-feldspar

The effect of pH, contact time, temperature, ionic strength and initial U(VI) concentration on U(VI) sorption onto K-feldspar was investigated using batch techniques. The sorption kinetics was evaluated and the activation energy was obtained based on the rate constants at different temperature. Graphical correlations of sorption isotherm models have been evaluated and applied for U(VI) uptake by K-feldspar. Various thermodynamic parameters, such as, Gibb's free energy, entropy and enthalpy of the on-going sorption process have been calculated and the possible sorption mechanism of U(VI) was deduced. The results are expected to help better understand the migration of uranium in the host materials of granite. - Highlights: • Comprehensive evaluation the environmental parameters which affect the sorption abilities of U(VI) by K-feldspar. • The sorption kinetics as well as thermodynamics of U(VI) were investigated through modeling evaluation. • The sorption mechanism of U(VI) on K-feldspar was deduced with the aid of sorption data and the spectroscopic technique. • The results are expected to help better understand the migration of uranium in the host materials of granite.