Separation of uranium ions from acetate medium by Dowex50WX8/Alizarin Red-S and its application on granitic samples, South Um Tawat, Eastern Desert

Dowex 50 WX8 modified with Alizarin Red S (ARS) was synthesised, characterised and tested for uranium ions adsorption. The synthesised Dowex 50 WX8/ARS has been characterised using FTIR and scanning electron microscope (SEM) before and after uranium adsorption. Possible factors influencing the adsorption process were studied; pH, equilibrium time, temperature, initial uranium concentration, adsorbent dose, acidic medium and ARS/Dowex 50WX8 weight ratio were studied. Experimental Data fitted well to Langmuir isotherm model with maximum adsorption capacity of 121.95 mg/g. Adsorption kinetics agreed with pseudo-second-order adsorption model. The effect of interfering ions on the adsorption process was studied. Elution of uranium was successfully carried out from the loaded Dowex 50WX8/ARS using 1 M HCl acid solution. Optimum conditions were applied to international standard references and Gabel Um Tawat granite samples with high accuracy and precision.