Abstract

3-(Triethoxysilyl)propylacrylamide monomer was synthesized for the first time and then copolymerized with acrylamide (Aam), allyltriethoxysilane (TEA) or 3-(triethoxysilyl)propylacrylate (TMPAac). These three silylated copolymers were investigated as uranyl complexing agents. In another experiment, the copolymers were processed with tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) following a sol–gel process to prepare new microporous gels suited for solid–liquid uranium extraction from liquid wastes. The gels were prepared with uranyl as imprinted gels and without uranyl ions in solution to obtain non-imprinted gels. The effect on the uranyl binding capacities of the gels was studied. The imprinted gels were also dipped in ternary solutions of thorium, lanthanum and uranium. Selectivity toward uranyl was observed for uranyl imprinted gels. The stability of the different matrices against dynamic leaching and gamma irradiation was also studied.