Uranyl ion uptake capacity of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide/maleic acid) copolymeric hydrogels prepared by gamma rays

The effect of gel composition, absorbed dose and pH of the solution on the uranyl ion uptake capacity of N-isopropylacrylamide/maleic acid copolymeric hydrogels containing 0–3 mol% of maleic acid at 48 kGy have been investigated. Uranyl uptake capacity of hydrogels are found to increase from 18.5 to 94.8 mg [UO22+]/g dry gel as the mole % of maleic acid content in the gel structure increased from 0 to 3. The percent swelling, equilibrium swelling and diffusion coefficient values have been evaluated for poly(N-isopropylacrylamide/maleic acid) hydrogels at 500 ppm of uranyl nitrate solution.

► Uranyl ion uptake capacity of P(NIPAAm/MA) hydrogels were investigated.
► Uranyl ion uptake capacity of hydrogels increase with increasing MA content and pH.
► Uranyl ion uptake capacity of hydrogels decrease with increasing absorbed dose.
► Equilibrium swelling and diffusion coefficient values were evaluated.