Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of uranium(VI) adsorption using Amberlite IRA-910 resin

Thermodynamic and kinetic studies have been carried out on the adsorption of uranium(VI) by Amberlite IRA-910 resin. The adsorption process has been investigated as a function of adsorbate concentration, solution acidity, contact time, adsorbent dosage, and temperature. The experiments were preformed in batch mode, where uranium initial concentration on the solution samples were 185.5, 277.6 and 456.8 (mg/lit), sulfuric acid concentration range was 0.02–9 (mol/lit) and sorbent dosages were 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5 g. Equilibrium isotherm data were analyzed using Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models. The results showed that the adsorption process was well described by Freundlich isotherm model. The kinetic data were analyzed using first-order and pseudo-second order kinetic models. The results indicated that adsorption fitted well with the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The thermodynamic parameters were determined at six (15, 30, 45, 45, 60 and 75 °C) different temperatures by plotting ln KL versus 1/T. The ΔH° and ΔG° values of uranium(VI) adsorption on Amberlite IRA-910 show endothermic heat of adsorption; higher temperatures favor the process.

► Amberlite IRA-910 resin as an adsorbent was used for adsorption of uranium.
► The experiments were carried out to consider the effect of adsorption parameters including pH, temperature, adsorbent dosage and time.
► The experimental data were analyzed using isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic models.
► The maximum adsorption capacity of IRA-910 was compared with other adsorbents.
► Thermodynamic data indicate that the adsorption process was endothermic and spontaneous.