Adsorption equilibrium of uranium from aqueous [UO2(CO3)3]4– solutions on a polymer bearing amidoxime groups

Abstract

The adsorption equilibrium of uranium from aqueous solutions containing tricarbonatouranate(VI) ions on a polymer bearing amidoxime groups was examined at pH 8–9. It is suggested that the adsorption proceeds by ligand exchange of three carbonate ions on the central uranyl(VI) ion with two amidoxime groups, accompanied by deprotonations. The uranyl(VI) complex formed with the polymer was found to be more stable than that with acetamidoxime as a ligand, suggesting that the amidoxime polymer has potential for the recovery of uranium from sea-water.