CHED 1142 |
| Laboratory experiments in which standard samples, artificially contaminated with uranyl ion salt, were decontaminated using activated carbon (AC) and different polymers used in plastics. The results obtained using infrared, UV visible, and fluorescence techniques show that (a) the AC possesses the highest removal ability for uranyl ions, and (b) the polymers used in plastics are also able to trap large quantities of uranyl ions. Adsorption of uranyl ions by AC or polymers increased as the initial concentration of uranyl ions increased in the solution. The effect of pH was also investigated and the maximum adsorption of uranyl ions on AC or polymers was obtained between pH 4.4 and 6.3. Desorption of uranyl ions were successfully performed with HCl solutions. The kinetics of both adsorption and desorption of uranyl ions from water is very fast. Polymers used in plastics may be used for the removal of radioactive or non-radioactive metal ions. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Environmental Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |