Sorption behaviors of uranium (VI) ions on α-FeOOH

► Present study deals with the synthesis and characterization of a synthetic goethite nanocrystal and sorption characteristics of U(VI) by this product. ► The adsorption process is well described by the Langmuir isotherm model. ► Adsorption kinetics of U(VI) is found to conform to pseudo-second order model. ► The adsorption of U(VI) by goethite is endothermic and feasible in nature. ► The nanocrystal goethite could be used as an adsorbent to remove U(VI) ions from aqueous solution.