Effective removal of uranium from aqueous solution by using cerium oxide nanoparticles derived from citrus limon peel extract

The current research focuses on the removal of uranium from biosynthesized CeO2 nanoparticles. Cerium oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized by the green synthesis route, ammonium cerium nitrate as the prime precursor, and plant extract from Citrus limon was proposed to produce CeO2NPs with spherical morphology and desired particle size. Prepared cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2NPs) were characterized via various types of equipment, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscope, Ultraviolet–Visible Spectroscopy, High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Raman Spectroscopy. Langmuir and Freundlich's adsorption isotherms are used to study and analyse the adsorption potential of cerium oxide nanoparticles, as well as the concentration of uranium, effects of contact time adsorbent, adsorbate dosage, and pH. The highest adsorption capacity of CeO2 toward uranium (VI) is determined to be 46.2 mg g−1, indicating a high efficiency for uranium(VI) ion removal.