Uranyl ion adsorption using novel cross-linked maleic anhydride–allyl propionate–styrene terpolymer

Maleic anhydride–allyl propionate–styrenе terpolymer has been modified with tri-ethanolamine in order to prepare a new cross-linked functional polymer sorbent. The sorption behaviors of UO22+ ions on the optimum sorption conditions were determined. The synthesized cross-linked polymer has a network structure that contains carboxylic acid, carbonyl, hydroxyl, amine and ester groups; all of which are capable of interacting with metal ions. The maximum capacity of the sorbent for uranyl ions has been measured as 2.5 mmol g− 1 (675 mg UO22+ g− 1). Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm constants and correlation coefficients for the present system have been compared and the Langmuir model provides the best fit. Uranyl ions are desorbed from the sorbent by treatment with 10% HCl, HNO3 or H2SO4.