In this presentation we will describe our initial results on the characterization of high density polyethylene (HDPE) based sorbents developed for the binding of U from seawater.  The HDPE sorbents contain a polyethylene backbone that has been modified with a variety of copolymer grafts containing an amidoxime binding moiety along with secondary carboxyl or phosphonic acid groups.  These grafted side chains afford interesting chemical and physical characteristics to the polymer sorbent that can be characterized using a wide range of measurement techniques developed for the characterization of surfaces with high chemical specificity and high spatial resolution.  Namely, we will present our initial results using helium ion microscopy (HIM), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and (S)TEM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) to characterize the interaction of U with sorbent.  While no one technique can provide a complete picture of the binding of U to the polymer, this collection of characterization experiments will allow the elucidation of both the structural and chemical nuances of the binding interaction between U and the amidoxime-modified HDPE sorbents.  It is our aim that the data presented in this presentation will assist greatly in the design of future sorbent materials for the removal of U from seawater.<br/>

Chemical and structural characterization of  high density polyethylene (HDPE) based sorbents developed for the binding of uranium from seawater

249th National Meeting (2015)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.