The effect of external stimuli on the uranyl ions uptake capacity of poly(N-vinyl 2-pyrrolidone/itaconic acid) hydrogels prepared by gamma rays

The effect of external stimuli such as pH of the solution, ionic strength and temperature on the uranyl ions uptake capacity of poly(N-vinyl 2-pyrrolidone/itaconic acid) (P(VP/IA)) hydrogels was investigated. Polyelectrolyte P(VP/IA) hydrogels with varying compositions were prepared in the form of rods from ternary mixtures of N-vinyl 2-pyrrolidone/itaconic acid/water. Uranyl adsorption capacity of hydrogels were found to increase from 26.7 to 70 (mg UO22+/g dry gel) with decreasing pH of the swelling solution. Adsorption studies have shown that other stimuli, such as temperature and ionic strength of the swelling solution have also influence on the uranyl ions uptake capacity of P(VP/IA) hydrogels. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.