Calcinated hydrotalcite—a sorbent for purifying uraniferous waters

Abstract

The Mg-, Al sorbent with a structure of hydrotalcite Mg4Al2(OH)12 · CO3 · nH2O was synthesized and its thermoactivated form Mg4Al2O7 was investigated in sorption processes. Physicochemical investigations demonstrated that the resultant sorbent (Mg4Al2O7) displays high sorption selectivity with respect to anionic forms of U(VI). Complexation ligands characteristic of natural and waste waters virtually do not affect sorption of U(VI). Based on sorption isotherms we calculated static and dynamic exchange capacities of the Mg-, Al-sorbent by U(VI). The demonstrated results make it possible to recommend the obtained sorbent for efficient removal of anionic forms of uranium from aqueous media.