Novel Approach for Uranium Removal from Aqueous Medium using Modified Low-Grade Coal

Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee have developed a cost-effective material for removing radioactive waste from aqueous medium. Their novel approach involves chemically modifying low-grade coal with adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) nucleotide, resulting in a high-efficiency adsorbent referred to as coal@AMP. This breakthrough has significant implications for managing radioactive waste toxicity, with potential applications in nuclear power plants, nuclear medicine, and environmental remediation.

Key Takeaways:

• The researchers developed a novel approach for uranium removal from aqueous medium using chemically modified low-grade coal, referred to as coal@AMP.
• The coal@AMP adsorbent exhibited 92.2% removal of uranium from aqueous medium in 300 seconds, following pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir adsorption isotherm.
• The maximum adsorption capacity of coal@AMP was found to be 624.6 mg/g, indicating a high efficiency in uranium removal.
• The adsorbent showed excellent selectivity towards uranium against interfering ions such as Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb, Mn, Zn, and Ni.
• The thermodynamic studies favour the spontaneous and endothermic nature of adsorption, suggesting a promising application in various industries.

Statistics:

• 92.2% removal of uranium from aqueous medium in 300 seconds by coal@AMP adsorbent.
• Maximum adsorption capacity of coal@AMP: 624.6 mg/g.
• 300 seconds: time taken for 92.2% removal of uranium by coal@AMP adsorbent.
• 10 mg per 100 mL: optimal adsorbent dose for uranium removal.

Sources:

• Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
• Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2025)

Springer Heidelberg, Tiergartenstrasse 17, D-69121 Heidelberg, Germany

Mohd Azfar Shaida, Dept. of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, India

Amit Kumar Sen and Raj Kumar Dutta, co-authors of the research.