Preparation and modification of forcespun polypropylene nanofibers for adsorption of uranium (VI) from simulated seawater

In this paper, polypropylene (PP) nanofibers were prepared using the melt forcespinning technology by a handmade device. Then, the surface of PP nanofibers was grafted through the high energy electron beams (EB) pre-irradiation method by acrylonitrile and methacrylic acid monomers with grafting percentage of 145.55%. The 92% of grafted cyano functional groups on nanofibers were converted to amidoxime groups, then modified by an alkaline solution. Characterization and surface morphology of nanofibers were investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The produced adsorbent was used to adsorb U(VI) ions from simulated seawater. The maximum adsorption was 83.24 mg/g in the optimal time of 60 min and optimal pH of 4. The optimum desorption efficiency was 80% in HCl 0.5 M. The kinetic data in optimum conditions showed that the adsorption followed an S-shaped kinetic model. The Adsorption equilibrium studies presented S-shape isotherm model that confirmed the adsorption occurs both on the adsorbent surface and in its pores The thermodynamic studies indicated spontaneous adsorption of uranyl ions and the higher efficiency adsorption at higher temperatures. The selectivity of adsorbent for metal ions followed the order V(V)>U(VI)>CO(II)>Ni(II)>Fe(II). These results shows that the prepared and modified nanofibers in this work can be considered as an effective and promising adsorbents for removal of uranium ions from seawater with high efficiency.