Enthalpy of Uranium Adsorption onto Hematite

Environ Sci Technol. 2020 Dec 1;54(23):15004-15012. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.0c04429. Epub 2020 Nov 9.

Abstract

The influence of temperature on the adsorption of metal ions at the solid-water interface is often overlooked, despite the important role that adsorption plays in metal-ion fate and transport in the natural environment where temperatures vary widely. Herein, we examine the temperature-dependent adsorption of uranium, a widespread radioactive contaminant, onto the ubiquitous iron oxide, hematite. The multitemperature batch adsorption data and surface complexation models indicate that the adsorption of uranium, as the hexavalent uranyl (UO22+) ion, increases significantly with increasing temperature, with an adsorption enthalpy (ΔHads) of +71 kJ mol-1. We suggest that this endothermic, entropically driven adsorption behavior is linked to reorganization of the uranyl-ion hydration and interfacial water structures upon UVI adsorption at the hematite surface. Overall, this work provides fundamental insight into the thermodynamics driving metal-ion adsorption reactions and provides the specific enthalpy value necessary for improved predictive geochemical modeling of UVI adsorption in the environment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Ferric Compounds
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Thermodynamics
  • Uranium*

Substances

  • Ferric Compounds
  • ferric oxide
  • Uranium