Removal of uranium(VI) from aqueous solution by rice husk

Basic aspects of uranium adsorption by rice husk have been investigated. The influences of various experimental parameters such as pH, time, adsorbent dosage, rice husk size, temperature and various concentrations of uranium on uptake were evaluated. The thermodynamics and kinetics of adsorption were analyzed by FT-IR and SEM. The adsorption capacity for uranium on rice husk increased upon increasing initial concentration of uranium and temperature, while decreased with the increase of the amount of rice husk. Maximum uranium adsorption was observed at pH = 3 and particle size between 120 μm and 150 μm. Adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 60 min. At 25 °C, the saturated adsorption capacity qmax was up to 15.14 mg/g when the initial concentration of uranium ranged from 10 to 400 mg/dm₃. The adsorption of uranium followed Langmuir adsorption isotherm and according to quasi-second order kinetic equation. The calculated values of ΔH^°, ΔS°, and ΔG° indicated that the biosorption process was endothermic and spontaneous. Based on FT-IR spectra it may be concluded that hydroxyl, carbonyl, P–O and Si=O groups are the main active sites.