• Journal of Inorganic Materials
  • Vol. 37, Issue 4, 395 (2022)

Abstract

Removal of uranium (VI) from uranium (VI) containing waste water is urgently needed with the global nuclear energy exploitation. The present work completed synthesis of fluorapatite and removal of uranium (VI). Fluorapatite was synthesized using calcium fluoride, calcium pyrophosphate and calcium hydroxide as the raw materials. The fluorapatite before and after adsorption of uranium (VI) was characterized. The experimental results show that, at condition of 308 K, pH=3, solid-liquid ratio of 0.12 g/L, equilibrium time of 120 min and initial uranyl ion concentration of 100 mg/L, the adsorption capacity of uranium (VI) by fluorapatite reaches 655.17 mg/g. Adsorption process of uranium (VI) by fluorapatite is in accordance with the pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm adsorption model. Adsorption of uranium (VI) by fluorapatite is a spontaneous and endothermic reaction. The removal of uranium (VI) by fluorapatite is ascribed to surface mineralization. After uranium (VI) is absorbed, a new phase of meta-autunite [Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2·6H2O] is generated on the surface of fluorapatite. The meta-autunite can maintain high stability in the pH≥3 aqueous solution. Above results indicate that fluorapatite can be used as a promising mineralizer for purification and solidification of uranium (VI) containing waste water.