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Preparation of graphene/graphene nanoribbons hybrid aerogel and its application for the removal of uranium from aqueous solutions

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Abstract

Graphene/graphene nanoribbons hybrid aerogel (GA/GNRs) was prepared via a hydrothermal process by using graphene oxide as precursor, and the graphene oxide nanoribbons unzipped from multi-walled carbon nanotubes were compound together. Various techniques were used to investigate the morphology, surface properties and structure of aerogel samples. Besides, the adsorption properties of the hybrid aerogel for the removal of U(VI) were further studied. The results showed that GNRs was grafted on the surface of graphene, and the specific surface area and porous pores structure were enhanced. The adsorption process of hybrid aerogel for U(VI) was pH-dependent, rapid, spontaneous and endothermic, and the maximum adsorption capacity for U(VI) was calculated to be 327.8 mg/g, which is expected to separate uranium from wastewater.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21966005, 21601033, 21661003, 11705027, 21866006, 11875105), and East China University of Technology Graduate Innovation Fund Project (DHYC-201906), and the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province(20192BAB202007) and Key project of Jiangxi Natural Science Foundation (20192ACB21001).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, 330013, China

    Yun Wang, Dingzhong Yuan, Yan Liu & Zhirong Liu

  2. School of Nuclear Science and engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, 330013, China

    Xuewen Hu, Yun Wang, Peng Wu, Yang Li, Hong Tu, Changfu Wang & Xiaogang Cao

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  1. Xuewen Hu
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  2. Yun Wang
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  3. Peng Wu
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Correspondence to Yun Wang.

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Hu, X., Wang, Y., Wu, P. et al. Preparation of graphene/graphene nanoribbons hybrid aerogel and its application for the removal of uranium from aqueous solutions. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 325, 207–215 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-020-07208-3

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