Magnetic separation of uranium by CoFe2O4 hollow spheres

• We prepared cobalt ferrite hollow spheres via simple solvothermal method.
• It can effectively removal uranium(VI) from aqueous solutions.
• Adsorption product is easily separated by the external magnetic field.
• Maximum removal of 96.8% was observed for an initial concentration of 50 mg/L.

Cobalt ferrite hollow spheres were prepared by a simple solvothermal method. The obtained CoFe2O4 was applied as magnetic adsorbent for the extraction of uranium(VI) ions from aqueous solutions. The maximum adsorption capacity was observed at pH 6.00. Maximum removal of 96.8% was observed for an initial concentration of 50 mg/L at pH 6.00 and an adsorbent dose of 0.05 g, displaying a high efficiency for the removal of uranium(VI) from aqueous solution. Equilibrium was achieved in approximately 180 min. The results indicate that CoFe2O4 has potential as an adsorbent for sorption uranium(VI), using a simple, fast separation method for removal of uranium(VI) ions from aqueous solution.