The burgeoning interest in nuclear energy as a sustainable power source brings to the fore significant environmental and human health concerns associated with wastewater from uranium mining. This study presented the successful synthesis of amidoxime modified graphene-based electrode materials (PAO-N-rGO/CF) designed for treating uranium containing wastewater. The influencing factors of PAO-N-rGO/CF during the electrokinetic restoration process were systematically investigated, exploring the mechanisms of adsorption and electrochemical reduction from the perspectives of establishing adsorption theoretical models, evaluating electrochemical performance, and characterizing reduction products. According to the results, the optimal removal efficiency for U(VI) by PAO-N-rGO/CF reached 99.93 % under conditions of an applied voltage of 5 V, an electrification duration of 20 min, and a pH of 7. Compared to Ca, K, and Mg, PAO-N-rGO/CF exhibited strong selectivity for UO. Whether dissolved oxygen was present or not, PAO-N-rGO/CF maintained its excellent electrochemical performance. After undergoing 10 cycles of reuse, the removal efficiency for U(VI) only decreased by 8.75 %. The establishment of the adsorption model demonstrated the presence of a chemical bond between uranium and amidoxime groups. The electrochemical performance tests evidenced that PAO-N-rGO/CF exhibited superior electron transfer capability. The reduction of (UO)(OH) to UO in wastewater at a pH = 7 was verified by analysis of the reduction products. The successful development and mechanistic study of the novel and efficient electrode material provide theoretical support for the control of radioactive nuclide pollution and possess practical value for engineering applications in treating uranium containing wastewater.

中文翻译：

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偕胺肟修饰石墨烯基电极高效去除 U(VI)：性能和机理


人们对核能作为可持续能源的兴趣日益浓厚，这使得与铀矿开采废水相关的重大环境和人类健康问题变得突出。本研究成功合成了用于处理含铀废水的偕胺肟改性石墨烯基电极材料（PAO-N-rGO/CF）。系统研究了PAO-N-rGO/CF动电还原过程的影响因素，从建立吸附理论模型、评价电化学性能、表征还原产物等角度探讨了吸附和电化学还原机理。结果表明，在外加电压5 V、通电时间20 min、pH 7的条件下，PAO-N-rGO/CF对U(VI)的最佳去除效率达到99.93%。 Ca、K 和 Mg、PAO-N-rGO/CF 对 UO 表现出很强的选择性。无论是否存在溶解氧，PAO-N-rGO/CF 都保持其优异的电化学性能。经过10次循环使用后，U(VI)的去除效率仅下降了8.75%。吸附模型的建立证明了铀和偕胺肟基团之间存在化学键。电化学性能测试表明PAO-N-rGO/CF表现出优异的电子传输能力。通过分析还原产物验证了 pH = 7 时废水中 (UO)(OH) 还原为 UO。 新型高效电极材料的成功研制和机理研究，为放射性核素污染的控制提供了理论支撑，在处理含铀废水方面具有工程应用的实用价值。