Sorption of U(VI) onto layered double hydroxides and oxides of Mg and Al, prepared using microwave radiation

Abstract

Layered double hydroxides of Mg and Al, containing CО₃^2– ions in the interlayer space (LDH-Mg-Al-CО₃), and layered double oxides of Mg and Al (LDO-Mg-Al) were prepared using microwave radiation (MWR). The use of MWR allows not only acceleration of the synthesis of both LDH and LDO, but also preparation of compounds with high kinetic characteristics of the U(VI) sorption. The degree of U(VI) sorption (α) from 10^–2 M aqueous U(VI) solutions at a sorption time of 4 h and V/m = 50 mL g^–1 exceeds 99.0%. In sorption from more concentrated (10^–1 M) aqueous U(VI) solutions under similar conditions, α on all the samples does not exceed 37.5%.