Efficient and rapid capture of uranium(Ⅵ) in wastewater via multiamine modified β-cyclodextrin porous polymer

It is quite important to ensure the safety and sustainable development of nuclear energy for the treatment of radioactive wastewater. To treat radioactive wastewater efficiently and rapidly, two multi-amine β-cyclodextrin polymers(diethylenetriamine β-cyclodextrin polymer(DETA-TFCDP) and triethylenetetramine β-cyclodextrin polymer(TETA-TFCDP)) were prepared and applied to capture uranium. Results exhibited that DETA-TFCDP and TETA-TFCDP displayed the advantages of high adsorption amounts(612.2and 628.2 mg·g-1, respectively) and rapid adsorption rates, which can reach(88 ± 1)% of their equilibrium adsorption amounts in 10 min. Moreover, the adsorbent processes of DETA-TFCDP and TETATFCDP on uranium(Ⅵ) followed the Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order model, stating they were mainly chemisorption and self-endothermic. Besides, TETA-TFCDP also showed excellent selectivity in the presence of seven competing cations and could be effectively reused five times via Na2CO3as the desorption reagent. Meanwhile, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy illustrated that the enriched multi-amine groups and oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface of TETA-TFCDP were the main active sites for capturing uranium(Ⅵ). Hence, multi-amine β-cyclodextrin polymers are a highly efficient, rapid, and promising adsorbent for capturing uranium(Ⅵ)from radioactive wastewater.

High-performance ZIF-8 membranes:preparation and their uranium adsorption performance

In this study,the ZIF-8 membrane(ZIF-8/PP-g-MAH)is prepared by in situ synthesis of ZIF-8 on irradiation-pretreated polymer substrates to improve the uranium adsorption performance and address the recycling problems of ZIF-8 powder.The effects of pH,contact time,and uranium concentration on the adsorption of ZIF-8/PP-g-MAH were investigated.Adsorption isotherm and kinetics analysis show that ZIF-8/PP-g-MAH has a high adsorption capacity of 478.5 mg/g,which is 1.26 times higher than that of ZIF-8,and a rapid adsorption equilibrium of 120 min,which is shortened to one-third of that required for ZIF-8(360 min).The adsorption process of ZIF-8/PP-g-MAH is consistent with that of the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order dynamic model.ZIF-8/PP-g-MAH also exhibits good selectivity for uranium in simulated seawater.The high adsorption performance of ZIF-8/PP-g-MAH is attributed to its membrane structure,which improves the utilization of coordination sites,including Zn-OH,C-N,and C=N.This study provides an efficient adsorption material for rapid uranium extraction,thus promoting the development of uranium extraction technologies.

Apatite Fission Track Thermochronology of Granite from the Xiazhuang Uranium Ore Field,South China:Implications for Exhumation History and Ore Preservation

Xiazhuang uranium ore field,located in the southern part of the Nanling Metallogenic Belt,is considered one of the largest granite-related U regions in South China.In this paper,we contribute new apatite fission track data and thermal history modeling to constrain the exhumation history and evaluate preservation potential of the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field.Nine Triassic outcrop granite samples collected from different locations of Xiazhuang Uranium ore field yield AFT ages ranging from 43 to 24 Ma with similar mean confined fission track lengths ranging from 11.8±2.0 to 12.9±1.9μm and Dpar values between 1.01 and 1.51μm.The robustness time-temperature reconstructions of samples from the hanging wall of Huangpi fault show that the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field experienced a time of monotonous and slow cooling starting from middle Paleocene to middle Miocene(~60-10 Ma),followed by relatively rapid exhumation in the late Miocene(~10-5 Ma)and nearly thermal stability in the Pliocene-Quaternary(~5-0 Ma).The amount of exhumation after U mineralization since the Middle Paleogene was estimated as~4.3±1.8 km according to the integrated thermal history model.Previous studies indicate that the ore-forming ages of U deposits in the Xiazhuang ore field are mainly before Middle Paleocene and the mineralization depths are more than 4.4±1.2 km.Therefore,the exhumation history since middle Paleocene plays important roles in the preservation of the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field.

Efficient extraction of uranium(VI)from aqueous solution by Zr/Ce-UiO-66-NH_(2) modified by dual strategies of bimetallization and amination

We modified Zr/Ce-UiO-66-NH_(2) using dual bimetallization and amination strategies to efficiently extract uranium from water resources.XRD,FTIR,and XPS indicated the successful alteration of material amination.Moreover,the metal Zr was partially replaced by Ce in Zr-oxygen atom clusters in Zr/Ce-UiO-66-NH_(2).It possessed commendable structural stability in acidic and alkaline solutions.Irrespective of whether it was submerged in a 6 M strong acid or in a 0.5M strong base solution,the structural integrity of Zr/Ce-UiO-66-NH_(2) remained unaffected.Batch experiments at pH=6.0 revealed that uranium adsorption by Zr/Ce-UiO-66-NH_(2) reached 376.8 mg g^(−1) and 611.33 mg g^(−1) at 298 K and 328 K,respectively.These values are much better than those obtained using bimetallic-modified Zr/Ce-UiO-66 or amine-functionalized UiO-66-NH_(2).After five consecutive sorption and desorption cycles,the material retained a uranium removal rate of more than 80%,proving its excellent regenerative properties.Kinetic modeling of U(VI)adsorption on Zr/Ce-UiO-66-NH_(2) implied that chemisorption dominated the rapid uranium sorption rate.We propose potential adsorption mechanisms involving three interactions:inner-sphere surface complexation,chemisorption,and electrostatic interactions.This study shows that the dual strategies of bimetallization and amination can effectively enhance U(VI)extraction from water.This approach has potential applications for the structural design of uranium adsorbents.

Redox-active sp^(2)-c connected metal covalent organic frameworks for selective detection and reductive separation of uranium

It is economically desirable to develop a material that can simultaneously detect and recover uranium.Herein,a C=C-bridged two-dimensional metal-covalent organic framework(Cu-BTAN-AO MCOF)was constructed by condensation of metal single crystals with a rigid structure(Cu3(PyCA)3)and cyano monomers(BTAN)via Knoevenagel reaction for simultaneous detection and adsorption of uranium.The amidoxime group within the pore and the presence of unsaturated Cu(I)in the framework facilitate the adsorption of uranyl ions onto the amidoxime group,leading to fluorescence quenching via the photoinduced electron transfer(PET)mechanism,achieving a detection limit of as low as 167 nM uranyl ions.Furthermore,Cu-BTAN-AO demonstrates exceptional efficiency in capturing uranium from wastewater characterized by rapid kinetics and superior selectivity.It is noteworthy that Cu-BTAN-AO is the first example of simultaneous detection,adsorption and chemical reduction of uranium using metal centers and functional groups in MCOF,indicating that Cu-BTAN-AO has great potential for the detection and recovery of uranium-containing wastewater.This design strategy may also be applicable to advancing sensing and energy materials for other important metal ions.

铀对α-Al_(2)O_(3)中氢与本征点缺陷相互作用的影响

在长期高温服役过程中,铀床的氚渗透泄露问题是聚变堆涉氚系统中需要关注的焦点之一,而一种行之有效的解决思路是在内壁制备阻氚涂层.然而,服役过程中通过热扩散渗入涂层内部的铀可能在阻氚涂层氢行为中起作用,进而影响其服役可靠性.基于此,采用第一性原理计算方法,研究了铀对α-Al_(2)O_(3)中氢与本征点缺陷相互作用的影响.结果发现,铀对α-Al_(2)O_(3)中空位型本征点缺陷及氢相关缺陷的存在形式、电荷态及相对稳定性有重要影响.从形成能观点来看,铀对α-Al_(2)O_(3)中空位型本征点缺陷及氢相关缺陷的形成有利,且α-Al_(2)O_(3)中空位型点缺陷对氢的捕陷能力因铀的引入显著增加.研究结果对α-Al_(2)O_(3)基内壁阻氚涂层在氚工艺系统铀床中应用的可靠性评估具有重要的指导意义.

基于COMSOL+PHREEQC耦合数值模拟的浸出试验--以内蒙古某铀矿浸出工艺试验为例

室内浸出工艺试验是联系科研和工业生产的必要环节,针对可地浸砂岩型铀矿浸出工艺室内试验条件与工业生产条件不同、物理试验组数多、矿岩采取困难等问题,提出了一套基于COMSOL+PHREEQC耦合的地浸采铀柱浸数值模拟模型构建方法,并以内蒙古某铀矿浸出室内试验(物理试验)为例,开展了物理试验与数值模拟试验对比研究。结果表明:采用基于COMSOL+PHREEQC耦合的数值模拟法,在酸法浸出室内柱浸试验模拟方面,具有良好的可行性;相同压力条件下,pH、U、Fe^(3+)、Ca^(2+)、SO_(4)^(2-)等溶出组分的浸出规律基本一致,峰值出现的时间相对较吻合;不同压力条件下,数值模拟模型的结果符合压力调节情况下的一般规律;所建数值模拟模型在U、Ca^(2+)浓度峰值大小方面尚存在差异,需要进一步完善模拟模型。

2D电法监测地浸采铀溶浸剂运移过程探讨

为提高砂岩型铀矿地浸开采效率,需要掌握注入含矿层的溶浸剂溶浸范围,但目前铀矿山还没有高效的观测手段。酸法溶浸剂的主要组分是硫酸,其浓度高达15 g/L,会显著改变含矿层中地下水电阻率。电法勘探对地下介质电阻率变化反应灵敏,为溶浸剂运移观测提供了可能。以我国内蒙古某酸法地浸铀矿为背景,通过数值算例,探讨双偶极、温纳、施伦贝尔三种高密度电阻率装置探测因硫酸运移产生电性异常区域,并通过电性异常区域反向圈定硫酸的溶浸区域。结果表明,三种装置均能够观测到100 m深度因溶浸剂运移产生电性变化区域的视电阻率响应,其中双偶极装置的观测效果和圈定效果最好,其反演结果能够较好地划分电性异常区域的左右边界,60 d后的反演低电阻异常区域面积与对应时刻溶浸区域面积较为吻合。井测线观测装置对地下电阻率变化的灵敏度要高于纯地表测线观测方式,但成本也更高。

Outline of Uranium Resources Characteristics and Metallogenetic Regularity in China

Uranium,as one of twenty-six kinds of important minerals in China,is strategic resource and energy mineral,which has been thoroughly investigated in the project of National Potential Evaluation of Uranium Resource.During the implementation of this project,the authors summarized the metallogenic regularity of uranium resource in China systematically,through the researches of geological characteristics of uranium resource,uranium deposits type（genetic and prediction type）,temporal and spatial distribution,and metallogenic series.Based on the investigation of present situation and progress in uranium exploration,this paper proposes the uranium deposits in China should be divided into 4 classes,9 types,21 subtypes in genetic,and 50 types in prediction;suggests to divide China into 29 uranium metallogenic belts and 20 uranium prospective area,and constructs 20uranium-polymetallic metallogenic series,through summarizing temporal and spatial distribution characteristics and metallogenic regularity of uranium deposits in China.The above research is beneficial to the comprehensive understanding of regional uranium metallogenic regularity,and will direct the uranium exploration in the future.

The Discovery of Natural Native Uranium and Its Significance

This study analyzed the composition and uranium valence of pitchblendes sampled from the hydrothermal Guidong and Zhuguang uranium deposits of the middle Nanling metallogenic belt, Southern China using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy（XPS）.A revolutionary discovery is that the uranium not only exists in the forms of tetravalent and hexavalent uranium oxides, but also occurs in the form of native uranium.This is the first discovery of the existence of native uranium in nature.It greatly helps to reveal the origin of hydrothermal mineralization of uranium, and also has great significance for studying the thermal energy, formation and evolution of the earth.

Genesis and Uranium Sources of Leucogranite-hosted Uranium Deposits in the Gaudeanmus Area, Central Damara Belt, Namibia: Study of Element and Nd Isotope Geochemistry

This paper presents a systematic study of major and trace elements and Sm-Nd isotopes in leucogranites closely related to uranium mineralization in the Gaudeanmus area, Namibia. The results illustrate that the uraniferous leucogranites possess high SiO2 （68.8wt%-76.0wt%, average 73.1wt%） and K （4.05wt%-7.78wt%, average 5.94wt%） contents, and are sub-alkaline and metaluminous to weakly peraluminous, as reflected by A/CNK values of 0.96-1.07 with an average of 1.01. The leucogranites are rich in light rare earth elements （LREE/HREE = 2.53-7.71; （La/Yb）s = 2.14-10.40）, have moderate Eu depletion and high Rb/Sr ratios （2.03-5.50 with an average of 4.36）; meanwhile, they are enriched in Rb, K, Th, U and Pb, and depleted in Ba, Nb, Ta, and Sr. The tNd（t） values of uraninites range from -14.8 to -16.5, and the two-stage Nd model ages are 2.43-2.56 Ga. Detailed elemental and Sm-Nd isotopic geochemical characteristics suggest that the leucogranites were formed in a post- orogenic extensional environment. The U-rich pre-Damara basement was the main source of uranium during the primary mineralization event, which is disseminated in leucogranites, whereas the uranium mineralization in veins possibly resulted from remobilization of the primary uranium minerals.

The Relationship between Jurassic Coal Measures and Sandstone-type Uranium Deposits in the Northeastern Ordos Basin,China

Outcrop and drill hole data show that the Jurassic coal measures in the northeastern Ordos Basin are composed mainly of the Yan’an Formation and the lowstand system tract of the Zhiluo Formation, and there is a regional unconformity between them. The Dongsheng uranium deposit is associated with the Jurassic coal measures. Research data indicate that the Jurassic coal measures in the study area have a certain hydrocarbon-generating capacity, although the metamorphic grade is low （Ro=0.40%–0.58%）. In the Dongsheng region alone, the accumulative amount of generated coalbed methane （CBM） is about 2028.29 × 108 –2218.72 × 108 m3; the residual amount is about 50.92 × 108 m3, and the lost amount is about 1977 × 108 m3. Analysis of the burial history of the host rocks and the evolutionary history of the Dongsheng uranium deposit suggests that the Jurassic coal measures generated hydrocarbon mainly from Middle Jurassic to Early Crataceous, which is the main mineralization phase of the Dongsheng uranium deposit. By the Late Cretaceous, a mass of CBM dissipated due to the strong tectonic uplift, and the Dongsheng uranium deposit stepped into the preservation phase. Therefore, the low-mature hydrocarbon-containing fluid in the Jurassic coal measures not only served as a reducing agent for the formation of sandstone-type uranium deposits, but also rendered the second reduction of paleo-interlayer oxidation zone and become the primary reducing agent for ore conservation. Regional strata correlation reveals that the sandstone-type uranium reservoir at the bottom of the Zhiluo Formation is in contact with the underlying industrial coal seams in the Yan’an Formation through incision or in the form of an unconformity surface. In the Dongsheng region with poorly developed fault systems, the unconformity surface and scour surface served as the main migration pathways for low-mature hydrocarbon-containing fluid migrating to the uranium reservoir.

Amidoxime-based adsorbents prepared by cografting acrylic acid with acrylonitrile onto HDPE fiber for the recovery of uranium from seawater

An amidoxime-based polymeric adsorbent was prepared by pre-irradiation grafting of acrylonitrile and acrylic acid onto high-density polyethylene fibers using electron beams,followed by amidoximation.Quantitative recovery of uranium was investigated by flow-through experiment using simulated seawater and marine test in natural seawater.The maximum amount of uranium uptake was 2.51 mg/g-ads after 42 days of contact with simulated seawater and 0.13 mg/g-ads for 15 days of contact with natural seawater.A lower uranium uptake in marine test can be attributed to the short adsorption time and the contamination of marine microorganisms and iron.However,the high selectivity toward uranium against vanadium may be beneficial to harvest uranyl ion onto adsorbents and the economic feasibility for recovery of uranium from seawater.

Origin and Superposition Metallogenic Model of the Sandstone-type Uranium Deposit in the Northeastern Ordos Basin,China

This paper deals with the metallogenic model of the sandstone type uranium deposit in the northeastern Ordos Basin from aspects of uranium source, migration and deposition. A superposition metallogenic model has been established due to complex uranium mineralization processes with superposition of oil-gas reduction and thermal reformation.

Effects of hydrocarbon generation on fluid flow in the Ordos Basin and its relationship to uranium mineralization

The Ordos Basin of North China is not only an important uranium mineralization province, but also a major producer of oil, gas and coal in China. The genetic relationship between uranium mineralization and hydrocarbons has been recognized by a number of previous studies, but it has not been well understood in terms of the hydrodynamics of basin fluid flow. We have demonstrated in a previous study that the preferential localization of Cretaceous uranium mineralization in the upper part of the Ordos Jurassic section may have been related to the interface between an upward flowing, reducing fluid and a downward flowing, oxidizing fluid. This interface may have been controlled by the interplay between fluid overpressure related to disequilibrium sediment compaction and which drove the upward flow, and topographic relief, which drove the downward flow. In this study, we carried out numerical modeling for the contribution of oil and gas generation to the development of fluid overpressure, in addition to sedi- ment compaction and heating. Our results indicate that when hydrocarbon generation is taken into account, fluid overpressure during the Cretaceous was more than doubled in comparison with the simu- lation when hydrocarbon generation was not considered. Furthermore, fluid overpressure dissipation at the end of sedimentation slowed down relative to the no-hydrocarbon generation case. These results suggest that hydrocarbon generation may have played an important role in uranium mineralization, not only in providing reducing agents required for the mineralization, but also in contributing to the driving force to maintain the upward flow.

Preparation of amidoxime-based PE/PP fibers for extraction of uranium from aqueous solution

A novel amidoxime-based fibrous adsorbent,denoted as PE/PP-g-(PAAc-co-PAO), was prepared by preirradiation grafting of acrylic acid and acrylonitrile onto polyethylene-coated polypropylene skin-core(PE/PP)fibers using 60 Co γ-ray irradiation, followed by amidoximation. The original and modified PE/PP fibers were characterized by a series of characterization methods to demonstrate the attachment of amidoxime groups onto the PE/PP fibers. Breaking strength tests confirmed that the fibrous adsorbent could maintain good mechanical properties. The adsorption capacity of the PE/PP-g-(PAAc-coPAO) fibers was investigated in simulated seawater with an initial uranium concentration of 330 μg/L. The uranium adsorption capacity was 2.27 mg/g-adsorbent after 24 h in simulated seawater, and the equilibrium data were well described by the Freundlich isotherm model. The PE/PP-g-(PAAc-co-PAO) adsorbent exhibited good regeneration and recyclability during five adsorption-desorption cycles.The adsorption test was also performed in simulated radioactive effluents with uranium concentrations of 10 and100 μg/L. The effect of the pH value on the adsorption capacity was also studied. At a very low initial concentration 10 μg/L solution, the PE/PP-g-(PAAc-co-PAO)fiber could remove as much as 93.0% of the uranium, and up to 71.2% of the uranium in the simulated radioactive effluent. These results indicated that the PE/PP-g-(PAAcco-PAO) adsorbent could be used in radioactive effluents over a wide range of pH values. Therefore, the PE/PP-g-(PAAc-co-PAO) fibers, with their high uranium selectivity,good regeneration and recyclability,good mechanical properties, and low cost, are promising adsorbents for extracting uranium from aqueous solutions.

Elemental Geochemistry of the Interlayer Oxidation Zonein the Shihongtan Sandstone Type Uranium Deposit, Xinjiang

According to the oxidation intensity of ore-hosting sandstone, the interlayer oxidation zone of the Shihongtan sandstone-type uranium deposit in the Turpan-Hami basin can be divided into 4 geochemical subzones, namely, intenselyoxidized, weakly-oxidized, redox and unoxidized primary subzones. The elemental geochemical characteristics of the four subzones have been studied in detail, and the results show that U, together with other elements such as Re, Mo, Se, Sr, S, REE, Corganic etc., is enriched in the redox subzone. Re and U have similar geochemical properties in the reductionoxidation process. The geochemical properties of Mo and Se are similar to those of U in the reduction condition, but different from those of U in the oxidation condition. It is proposed that the ore-hosting layers can provide a curtain mount of uranium for uranium mineralization.

Uranium Metallogenic Regionalization and Resource Potential in China

This paper is comprehensively involved in main types of uranium deposits and their general metallogenic characteristics, metallogenic fields, provinces, regions and belts, and uranium resources potential evaluation. Generally speaking, there are favorable conditions and good uranium resources potential for uranium mineralization in China.

Isothermal, kinetic, and thermodynamic studies for solid-phase extraction of uranium(VI) via hydrazine-impregnated carbonbased material as efficient adsorbent

The current study describes the application of a new extraction method for efficient uranium adsorption via cost-effective hydrazine-impregnated activated carbon.Various experimental parameters such as time, adsorbent weight, temperature(°C), and uranium concentration were thoroughly investigated. The synthesized adsorbent was characterized via X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed86% uranium extraction under optimized conditions(20% P2O5 at 25 °C, 120 min). The obtained findings fit well with thermodynamic and isothermal(Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms) models and pseudo second-order kinetics. In thermodynamic studies, the negative sign of(DG°) specified the spontaneity of process, the negative sign of(DH°) revealed endothermicity, and the positive sign of(DS°) showed high randomness after adsorption.

The First Discovery of a Large Sandstone-type Uranium Deposit in Aeolian Depositional Environment

The exploration depth of sandstone-type uranium deposits worldwide is mostly less than 700 m,and most of them occur in strata of fluvial facies(Adams et al.,1981;Jin et al.,2016;Hou et al.,2017).Only a few small uranium deposits have been reported in aeolian depositional environments(Isachsen et al.,1955;Li et al.,2001).In the Pcngyang Jingchuan region of the southwestern Ordos Basin,uranium ore bodies with large thickness and high grade in the aeolian sandstone of the Luohe Formation were newly found at depths from 700 to 1500 m,which have laid the foundation for increasing the uranium resources significantly in the Ordos Basin.