| Abstract |
A state of the art, phosphate functionalized cotton cellulose based green U(VI) adsorbent has been synthesized via single step, 60Co gamma radiation mediated simultaneous irradiation grafting process, wherein bis(2methacryloxyethyl) phosphate (B2MEP) was grafted onto cotton cellulose fabric. Samples were characterized using 13C NMR, FTIR, EDXRF, XRD and SEM techniques. Poly(B2MEP)-g-cellulose adsorbent (CellUSorb) was tested for removal of Uranyl (U(VI)) ions from water, adsorption capacities being 79.9 mg.g- 1 and 135.9 mg.g- 1 in batch and column modes, respectively. The equilibrium adsorption data were analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich and Redlich-Peterson isotherm models, and kinetic data using pseudo first order, pseudo second order, intra-particle diffusion and Boyd's models. The adsorbent viability was enhanced through regeneration achieved using ammonium oxalate as eluent, ensuring reusability for five cycles with < 20 % attrition loss/cycle. A standalone, portable water treatment set up, housing a - 100 g CellUSorb cartridge (maximum theoretical U (VI) adsorption capacity - 27,200L for [U(VI)] = 500 & mu;g.L-1), has been conceptualized, fabricated and successfully tested for U(VI) removal to < 30 & mu;g.L-1 (WHO permissible limit) from contaminated water. With potential upscaling for large scale, onsite U(VI) remediation, CellUSorb is a promising prospect that spotlights the role of cellulose in accomplishing UNO's Sustainable Development Goal of "clean water for all" (SDG6). |
