Uranium removal from laboratory and environmental waters by oxidised biochar prepared from palm tree fibres

The removal of uranium from laboratory and environmental waters using oxidised biochar prepared from palm tree fibres has been investigated by means of batch type experiments. The effect of pH, contact time, temperature and initial uranium concentration has been studied and indicated that the adsorption follows the second order kinetic model and is an endothermic, entropy-driven process. According to the IR spectra the adsorption occurs via formation of inner-sphere complex formation between the surface carboxylic moieties and UO22+. The material has been effectively applied to remove uranium from groundwater, treated wastewater and seawater samples.