Synthesis of Fe3O4@TiO2 core–shell magnetic composites for highly efficient sorption of uranium (VI)

•Fe3O4@TiO2 were prepared and well characterized.•Fe3O4@TiO2 exhibited fast and efficient sorption for uranium (VI).•Fe3O4@TiO2 could be easily separated from aqueous solutions with a magnet.•The maximum adsorption capacity toward uranium (VI) is 118.8 mg U/g at 25 °C.

Adsorption of uranium (VI) from aqueous solution by Fe3O4@TiO2 composites was studied by batch experiments. The adsorbent was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. The adsorptions of uranium (VI) from aqueous solution on Fe3O4@TiO2 were fitted to the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The adsorption of uranium (VI) could be well-described by Langmuir. The maximum sorption capacity of Fe3O4@TiO2 for uranium (VI) was evaluated to be 118.8 mg U g−1 at pH 6.0. Thermodynamic parameters further showed that the sorption was an endothermic and spontaneous process. The uranium (VI)-loaded Fe3O4@TiO2 could be readily separated from aqueous solutions by an external magnetic field. Results suggested that Fe3O4@TiO2 was a powerful promising sorbent for the efficient removal of uranium (VI) from aqueous solutions.

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