Guanidine and Amidoxime Cofunctionalized Polypropylene Nonwoven Fabric for Potential Uranium Seawater Extraction with Antifouling Property

Uranium seawater extraction is strategically important to the sustainable development of nuclear energy. Nevertheless, a challenge remains in uranium enrichment to overcome the microorganisms’ adhesion. In this article, we propose guanidine and amidoxime cofunctionalized polypropylene nonwoven fabric for potential uranium seawater extraction with an antifouling property. Specifically, glycidyl methacrylate was first grafted onto polypropylene nonwoven fabric under γ-ray irradiation, and then reacted with dicyandiamide, and followed by amidoximation to give the functionalized sorbents. The effect of sorbent dose, contact time, and coexisting ions on uranium adsorption and antibacterial assay were investigated. The sorption equilibrium could be reached with a capacity of 112 mg/g within 5 h at pH 8.0 and 298.15 K. The uranium sorption was not affected by other coexisting ions. The antibacterial assay indicated guanidine and amidoxime cofunctionalized fabric could efficiently inhibit the adhesion of Gram-neg...