Effect of silicate on the sorption properties of kaolinite: removal of U(VI) and mechanism

The surface and sorption properties of kaolinite were analyzed as a function of silicate. Batch experiments indicate that the U(VI) sorption is promoted by the addition of silicate at low pH while is depressed at high pH. The sorption was acceptably predicted by the formation of a ternary silicate surface complex under the experimental conditions. The pseudo-second order kinetic model fit the sorption kinetics better. The sorption isotherms are more in accordance with Langmuir model and the thermodynamic parameters indicate a spontaneous and endothermic sorption process.