Fluorescent Functionalized Mesoporous Silica for Radioactive Material Extraction

Journal Article · Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 2012 · Separation Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/01496395.2012.655833· OSTI ID:1048608

Li, Juan; Zhu, Kake; Shang, Jianying; Wang, Donghai; Nie, Zimin; Guo, Ruisong; Liu, Chongxuan; Wang, Zheming; Li, Xiaolin; Liu, Jun

Mesoporous silica with covalently bound salicylic acid molecules incorporated in the structure was synthesized with a one-pot, co-condensation reaction at room temperature. The as-synthesized material has a large surface area, uniform particle size, and an ordered pore structure as determined by characterization with transmission electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and infrared spectra, etc. Using the strong fluorescence and metal coordination capability of salicylic acid, functionalized mesoporous silica (FMS) was developed to track and extract radionuclide contaminants, such as uranyl [U(VI)] ions encountered in subsurface environments. Adsorption measurements showed a strong affinity of the FMS toward U(VI) with a Kd value of 105 mL/g, which is four orders of magnitude higher than the adsorption of U(VI) onto most of the sediments in natural environments. The new materials have a potential for synergistic environmental monitoring and remediation of the radionuclide U(VI) from contaminated subsurface environments.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1048608
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-84808; SSTEDS; KP1603000; TRN: US1204234
• Journal Information: Separation Science and Technology, Vol. 47, Issue 10; ISSN 0149-6395
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
ADSORPTION
AFFINITY
FLUORESCENCE
INFRARED SPECTRA
MONITORING
PARTICLE SIZE
PORE STRUCTURE
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOISOTOPES
SALICYLIC ACID
SEDIMENTS
SILICA
SURFACE AREA
THERMAL GRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
Mesoporous Silica
Fluorescent Functionalization
Radioactive Material