Removal of toxic uranium from synthetic nuclear power reactor effluents using uranyl ion imprinted polymer particles.

Major quantities of uranium find use as nuclear fuel in nuclear power reactors. In view of the extreme toxicity of uranium and consequent stringent limits fixed by WHO and various national governments, it is essential to remove uranium from nuclear power reactor effluents before discharge into environment. Ion imprinted polymer (IIP) materials have traditionally been used for the recovery of uranium from dilute aqueous solutions prior to detection or from seawater.

Selective recognition of neodymium (III) using ion imprinted polymer particles.

Neodymium (III) ion-imprinted polymer (IIP) materials were prepared by the copolymerization of neodymium (III)-5,7-dichloroquinoline-8-ol-4-vinylpyridine ternary complex with styrene(monomer), divinyl benzene (crosslinking monomer) in the presence of 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (initiator). The synthesis was carried out in 2-methoxy ethanol medium (porogen) and the resultant material was filtered, washed, dried and powdered to form unleached IIP particles. The imprint ion was removed by stirring the above particles with 50% (v/v) HCl for 6 h to obtain leached IIP particles with cavities in the polymer particles.