Effective adsorption of U(VI) from aqueous solution using magnetic chitosan nanoparticles grafted with maleic anhydride. Equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies

The in situ formed magnetite nanoparticles was encapsulated by maleated chitosan to synthesize a novel magnetic chitosan nano-sorbent (MCN-MA) for the effective sorption of uranium. The sorption kinetics could be described by the pseudo-second-order model, whereas the sorption isotherms could be fitted to the Langmuir model (q_m = 187.9 mg/g). The MCN-MA showed higher U(VI) sorption capacities (compared to MCN) due to high affinity of carboxylate groups introduced from grafting maleic anhydride. Thermodynamic parameters indicate that U(VI) sorption is endothermic and feasible. The nano-size and magnetic property of the MCN-MA allow its efficient U(VI) sorption and facile magnetic separation from wastewaters. (author)