Selective solid-phase extraction of U(VI) by amine functionalized glycidyl methacrylate

The resin glycidyl methacrylate divinyl benzene (GMA-DVB) was prepared and treated with different amine moieties to give corresponding glycidyl methacrylate chelating resins (RI and RII). The prepared resins were characterized by infrared spectra. The separation of U(VI) from aqueous solutions using amine chelating resins was examined at different pH and temperatures. The recovery of uranium increased as the pH increased from 1 to 4.5 and the optimum pH value was 4.5. The maximum uptake values of U(VI) on RI and RII were found to be 77 and 145 mg g−1, respectively. Also, the amount of U(VI) adsorbed per unit mass of all resins increased by increasing the temperature from 323 to 393 K, showing an endothermic nature of the sorption process. The practical applicability of the method was examined using various rock samples. The studied resins appear to have potential for use in a commercial process for uranium recovery.