Synthesis and characterisation of graphene-based ZnO composite materials by green synthesis approach for the removal of U(VI) and Th(IV) ions from aqueous solutions
Project no. 23492 · Status: Kapanmış · 2022
Summary
<p>With the advancement of nuclear technology, managing radioactive waste from nuclear energy production and effectively disposing of radionuclides in the event of nuclear accidents is of critical importance due to both the economic burden and potential adverse effects on human health and the environment. Radioactive elements and heavy metals, especially uranium and thorium, can create toxic effects even at low concentrations when they contaminate water, posing risks to ecosystems and public health. Therefore, the removal of radionuclides from water is crucial.</p><p>This project investigates the use of adsorption, a method employed to remove radioactive waste from water. Adsorption is an effective and cost-efficient method that offers the advantage of not requiring additional equipment. However, to make the adsorption process more efficient and cost-effective, there is a need to develop environmentally friendly and economical adsorbents. In this project, environmentally friendly green methods were first used to synthesize control group materials: graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and zinc oxide (ZnO). Subsequently, these materials were used to produce GO-ZnO and rGO-ZnO composite forms in the shapes of nanoparticles and fibers. The characterization of these synthesized materials was carried out using various analytical techniques.</p><p>The objective of the project is to investigate the effectiveness of GO-ZnO and rGO-ZnO nanoparticle and fiber composites in removing uranium (U(VI)) and thorium (Th(IV)) ions from aqueous environments. To achieve this, initial batch adsorption experiments were conducted using the control group materials. The suitability of the adsorption processes to various isotherm models was examined, and the kinetic and thermodynamic properties were determined. Following this, experimental studies were performed to identify the optimal process conditions for the nanoparticle and fiber composites, with experimental parameters optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Additionally, desorption studies were carried out, and the mobility and transport of U(VI) and Th(IV) ions in aquatic environments were modeled using the GoldSim simulation program.</p>