Comparison of uranium extraction from model fresh water on TiO-PAN and NaTiO-PAN composite absorbers

Possibility of uranium extraction on titanium oxide (TiO)-polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and sodium titanate (NaTiO)-PAN composite absorbers prepared from hydrated TiO and NaTiO embedded into a matrix of PAN binder was studied. Both TiO-PAN and NaTiO-PAN absorbers might be advantageous for repeated extraction of uranium from fresh water. Appropriate flow rates were found up to 60 BV h(-1) for both the absorbers. Elution of uranium and regeneration of both the absorbers may be accomplished by hydrochloric acid solutions of concentration 0.1 mol L-1 and more. Practical sorption capacity (up to 10 % break-through) from tap water containing 2.3 mu g U mL(-1) was similar to 4.6 and similar to 1.5 mg of uranium per 1 mL of swollen TiO-PAN and NaTiO-PAN absorber, respectively.