One particle three targets: Phosphate anion-modified magnetic mesoporous silica with enhanced fluorescence for sensitive detection, efficient adsorption, and repeated removal of uranium (VI) ions

Jian Zhang; Yue Gao; Jinjin Hou; Jing Guo; Zhaoshuai Shao; Yuanhang Ming; Lifang He; Qian Chen; Suhua Wang; Kui Zhang; Zhongping Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133286

One particle three targets: Phosphate anion-modified magnetic mesoporous silica with enhanced fluorescence for sensitive detection, efficient adsorption, and repeated removal of uranium (VI) ions

J Hazard Mater. 2024 Mar 5:465:133286. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133286. Epub 2023 Dec 18.

Authors

Jian Zhang¹, Yue Gao¹, Jinjin Hou¹, Jing Guo¹, Zhaoshuai Shao¹, Yuanhang Ming¹, Lifang He¹, Qian Chen¹, Suhua Wang², Kui Zhang³, Zhongping Zhang⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Ma'anshan, Anhui 243032, China.
² College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming, Guangdong 525000, China.
³ School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Ma'anshan, Anhui 243032, China. Electronic address: zhangkui@mail.ustc.edu.cn.
⁴ Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui 230000, China.

PMID: 38134698
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133286

Abstract

An ideal adsorbent material that combines the multiple capabilities of sensitive detection, efficient adsorption, and repeatable removal of uranium (U) from the environment remains a serious challenge. Herin, a general method was developed for synthesizing a series of phosphate anions (such as: PO₄^3-, P₂O₇^4-, P₃O₁₀^5- and P₆O₁₈^6-) modified magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ @mSiO₂-Zn²⁺ NPs). The mesoporous surfaces and abundant phosphate groups provide potential, powerful uranium-binding sites for capturing U(VI) ions. Especially, the optimum adsorption capacity of Fe₃O₄ @mSiO₂-Zn²⁺/P₃O₁₀^5- NPs was as high as 885.90 mg·g^-1 (298 K), which was higher than that of unmodified or other phosphate anions-modified Fe₃O₄ @mSiO₂-Zn²⁺ NPs. Meanwhile, P₃O₁₀^5--binding sites and mesoporous surfaces also strongly restrict U(VI) ions' fluorescence vibrational inactivation, the adsorption results in rapid green fluorescence enhancement (within 180 s), and an ultra-low detection limit (4.5 nmol·L^-1), which is well below the standard in drinking water of the World Health Organization (WHO). Furthermore, even after 5 cycles, the adsorbent still maintained their original adsorption capacity of 80.21% and displayed excellent selectivity for detecting and removing U(VI) from seawater. Based on these results, the Fe₃O₄ @mSiO₂-Zn²⁺/P₃O₁₀^5- NPs seem to be a suitable multifunctional adsorbent for the detection, adsorption, and removal of U(VI) from environment.

Keywords: Adsorption; Fluorescence enhancement; Magnetic mesoporous silica; Repeatable extraction; Uranyl ions.