Magnetic solid-phase extraction of U(VI) in aqueous solution by Fe3O4@hydroxyapatite

In this work, the magnetic hydroxyapatite composite (Fe3O4@HAP) was prepared and used to remove of U(VI). The characterizations of transmission electron microscope and vibrating sample magnetometer indicated that the average size and saturation magnetizations (Ms) of Fe3O4@HAP was about 360 nm and 20.89 emu g−1, respectively. The results of solid-phase extraction indicated that at pH 5.0, the removal efficiency of Fe3O4@HAP was more than 95% within 20 min. The maximum adsorption capacity (qm) of Fe3O4@HAP was 789.58 mg g−1. Therefore, Fe3O4@HAP may be a rapid and highly efficient magnetic adsorbent to remove of U(VI) from water.