Adsorptive removal of uranyl ions in aqueous solution using hydrothermal carbon spheres functionalized with 4-aminoacetophenone oxime group

Hydrothermal carbon spheres (HCSs) functionalized with 4-aminoacetophenone oxime group (HCSs-oxime) were prepared by a grafting method and explored to adsorption of uranyl ions from aqueous solution. The results of FT-IR, elemental analysis and zeta potential indicate a successfully modification with oxime group. The adsorbent shows an excellent adsorption capacity (Langmuir, q m  = 588.2 mg g −1 ) and quick adsorption kinetic (equilibrium time of approximately 60 min) at optimal pH of 6.0. The adsorptive selectivity for uranyl ions has been also great improved in present with various co-existing ions. Overall, HCSs-oxime is a potentially promising material for selective removal of uranium in the contaminated solution.