Uranyl ion binding properties of poly(hydroxamic acid) hydrogels

Summary   Poly(hydroxamic acid) (PHA) hydrogels, obtained from the synthesis of crosslinked poly(acrylamide) (PAAm) gels have been prepared, and their uranyl ion binding properties from two different sources were investigated. Swelling and binding parameters of crosslinked PHA gels were determined from swelling and uranyl ion adsorption studies. The effect of uranyl ion concentration, pH, temperature and mass of adsorbent on the uranyl ion adsorption were examined. The binding process between PHA and uranyl ions complies with the S type adsorption according to Giles classification. Free energies of the adsorptions found as negative values indicating spontaneous adsorption process. The structure and hydrophilicity of the used crosslinkers, the ionogenity of PHA polymers and the source of uranyl ions found to be effective on the swelling and binding behaviors of PHA hydrogels. Received: 3 March 2001 / Revised version: 30 June 2001 / Accepted: 9 July 2001