Amidoximated polyorganophosphazene microspheres with an excellent property of U(VI) adsorption in aqueous solution

In this paper, an amidoximated polyorganophosphazene (PCCP-AO) adsorbent was concizely synthesized via poly(cyclotriphosphazene- co -polyethyleneimine) (PCCP) prepared from hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP) and polyethyleneimine (PEI). PCCP and PCCP-AO were characterized by FTIR, SEM, BET and TGA. SEM images showed that both adsorbents had a morphorlogy of microsphere. The influences of pH values, contact times, initial U(VI) concentrations, temperatures and co-existing ions on the U(VI) adsorption properties of PCCP and PCCP-AO were studied. Data showed that PCCP and PCCP-AO exhibited high U(VI) adsorption capacities of 293.2 mg g −1 and 319.1 mg g −1 respectively. PCCP-AO has a higher adsorption capacity, a faster adsorption rate and a better U(VI) selectivity than PCCP. Besides, PCCP-AO exhibited good reusability.