Application of poly(vinylphosphonic acid) modified poly(amidoxime) in uptake of uranium from seawater

To enhance the anti-biofouling properties and adsorption capability of poly(amidoxime) (PAO), vinylphosphonic acid (VPA, CH(2)[double bond, length as m-dash]CH-PO(3)H(2)) was polymerized on poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) surface by plasma technique, followed by amidoximation treatment to convert the cyano group (–C[triple bond, length as m-dash]N) into an amidoxime group (AO, –C(NH(2))[double bond, length as m-dash]N–OH). The obtained poly(vinylphosphonic acid)/PAO (PVPA/PAO) was used as an adsorbent in the uptake of U(vi) from seawater. The effect of environmental conditions on the anti-biofouling property and adsorption capability of PVPA/PAO for U(vi) were studied. Results show that the modified PVPA enhances the anti-biofouling properties and adsorption capability of PAO for U(vi). The adsorption process is well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and reached equilibrium in 24 h. Adsorption isotherms of U(vi) on PVPA/PAO can be well fitted by the Langmuir model, and the maximum adsorption capability was calculated to be 145 mg g(−1) at pH 8.2 and 298 K. Experimental results highlight the application of PVPA/PAO in the extraction of U(vi) from seawater.