In this study, two adsorbents, gluconate-modified agarose an‎d acid-activated gluconate-modified agarose, were synthesized for the removal of uranyl cations from aqueous solutions an‎d industrial wastewaters. The synthesized adsorbents were characterized using FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, an‎d zeta potential analyses. Based on the nitrogen adsorption–desorption results, the specific surface areas of gluconate-modified agarose an‎d acid-activated gluconate-modified agarose were 12.50 an‎d 20.59 m².g⁻¹, with average pore sizes of 7.45 nm an‎d 31.09 nm, respectively. The effects of various parameters on uranyl adsorption, including pH, initial uranyl ion concentration, contact time, an‎d temperature, were investigated. Both adsorbents exhibited the highest uranyl removal efficiency at pH 5. Rapid adsorption kinetics were observed, reaching equilibrium within 60 min. The adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model an‎d was best fitted by the Langmuir isotherm model. Under optimal conditions, the maximum adsorption capacities were 19.23 mg.g⁻¹ for gluconate-modified agarose an‎d 52.63 mg.g⁻¹ for acid-activated gluconate-modified agarose. Regeneration an‎d reusability tests indicated that the removal efficiency remained as high as 93% after four consecutive adsorption–desorption cycles. To eva‎luate performance under real conditions, acid-activated gluconate-modified agarose was applied to industrial wastewater samples, achieving complete uranyl ion removal within 60 min. Due to its biocompatibility an‎d cost-effectiveness, the developed adsorbent demonstrates great potential for practical application in industrial wastewater treatment.

كيومرث زرگوش

كاظم كرمي

محمد ديناري , حسن حداد زاده