Efficient adsorption of U(VI) using in low-level radioactive wastewater containing organic matter by amino groups modified polyacrylonitrile fibers

A kind of amino groups modified polyacrylonitrile fibers (PAN-A) was prepared to extract uranium from organic-containing low-level radioactive wastewater (OC-LLRW). SEM/EDS and FTIR characterization conformed that amino group was triumphant grafed on polyacrylonitrile fibers (PAN) surface. Its adsorption capacity was 492.1 mg g −1 (pH 6.0) and can endure at least five adsorption/desorption cycles under condition of 0.1 mol L −1 HCl solution. This PAN-A can work efficiently in the organic containing waste water (urea, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol), while the polyvinylalcohol (PVA) exhibited an apparently suppressive effect. This phenomenon was mainly with respect to the sticky nature of PVA. Graphical abstract