A novel ion-imprinted amidoxime-functionalized UHMWPE fiber based on radiation-induced crosslinking for selective adsorption of uranium

A novel uranium-imprinted adsorbent (AO-Imp fiber) was prepared by radiation-induced crosslinking of amidoxime-functionalized ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber (AO fiber). The porous structure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) spectroscopy after ion imprinting. This ion-imprinted fiber exhibited enhanced adsorption selectivity for uranium in the form of both UO(2)(2−) and [UO(2)(CO(3))(3)](4−) in batch experiments. Compared with AO fiber, the adsorption capacity of the AO-Imp(250) fiber for uranium increased from 0.36 mg g(−1) to 1.00 mg g(−1) in simulated seawater and from 5.02 mg g(−1) to 12.03 mg g(−1) in simulated acid effluent, while its adsorption capacities for other co-existing metal ions were particularly low. This study provides an approach to prepare ion-imprinted adsorbents without introducing crosslinking reagents, which may be a promising method for uranium extraction.