Vanadium-Oxide-Functionalized GO for Highly Efficient Capture and Immobilization of Uranium

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Spent lithium-ion batteries pose environmental challenges.
• Uranium contamination in wastewater requires effective remediation solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a low-cost, high-performance adsorbent for uranium (U(VI)) removal from wastewater.
• To recycle graphite from spent Li-ion batteries into a functional material.
• To investigate the adsorption mechanism and stability of the novel composite.

Main Methods:

• Recycling graphite from spent Li-ion batteries.
• Synthesizing vanadium-oxide-functionalized graphene oxide (VrG) composite.
• Characterizing VrG using various analytical techniques.
• Conducting U(VI) adsorption experiments under different conditions.
• Performing adsorption-desorption cycles and gamma irradiation stability tests.
• Utilizing Density Functional Theory (DFT) for mechanism elucidation.

Main Results:

• The VrG composite demonstrated a high U(VI) adsorption capacity (232.7 mg/g at pH 4.0, 298 K).
• The adsorbent exhibited excellent selectivity for U(VI) in the presence of competing ions.
• VrG showed remarkable stability, with minimal capacity loss over five cycles and after gamma irradiation.
• DFT calculations confirmed the roles of coordination and electrostatic interactions in U(VI) adsorption.

Conclusions:

• The developed VrG composite is a highly effective and recyclable adsorbent for U(VI) removal.
• This approach offers a sustainable method for waste valorization and wastewater remediation.
• The study highlights the potential of recycled materials in addressing environmental pollution.