Removal of aqueous uranyl ions by magnetic functionalized carboxymethylcellulose and adsorption property investigation

Magnetic carboxymethylcellulose (CMC/Fe3O4) was used as a framework adsorption material to remove uranium ions from aqueous solutions. Carboxyl functional groups were grafted onto the CMC/Fe3O4. The maximum adsorption capacity of the magnetic composite toward U(VI) was 122.48 mg/g. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the adsorption process were estimated. The pseudo-second-order model was more suitable and it proved to be an endothermic and spontaneous process. The Langmuir and Freundlich models were applied to evaluate the adsorption isotherm. The data matched well with Langmuir model after equilibrium was reached and with Freundlich model before equilibrium was reached.