Application of poly(amidoxime)/scrap facemasks in extraction of uranium from seawater: from dangerous waste to nuclear power

To effectively kill microorganisms on scrap facemasks (FMs) surface and provide new material for extracting uranium (U(VI)) from seawater, scrap FMs was treated by N(2) capacitance coupled (CCP) plasma and modified with polyamidoxime (PAO). The obtained PAO/FMs was well characterized and applied as an adsorbent in the extraction of U(VI) from seawater. The effects of environmental conditions on the adsorption capability of PAO/FMs for U(VI) were briefly studied. Results showed that plasma technique can synchronously kill microorganisms and induce acrylonitrile (AN) polymerization on FMs surface. The prepared PAO/FMs presented excellent adsorption capability for U(VI). The experimental results highlighted the application of plasma technique in the management of scrap FMs, and PAO/FMs in the extraction of U(VI) from seawater.