Recent advances in uranium (VI) uptake from aqueous solutions using clay mineral-based adsorbents

Abstract

Due to the increasing use of nuclear energy as a primary energy source, large volumes of wastewater contaminated with radionuclides, particularly uranium, are being generated. Consequently, the quest for effective adsorbents for uranium removal from aqueous solutions has gained considerable attention in recent decades. In this review, the uptake of uranium from aqueous solutions using clay mineral-based adsorbents is explored. In this context, the adsorbents were categorized into pristine, modified, and hybrid composites with other materials. For each category, we surveyed relevant studies on adsorption performance, the studied parameters, the kinetic model, the isotherm equation, and the adsorption mechanism. Finally, the survey data were analyzed, the main findings were summarized, and future perspectives were proposed.