Synthesis and characterization of UTSA-76 metal organic framework structure and its use as adsorbent for the removal of radioactive uranium (VI)

In this master thesis, UTSA-76 encoded MOF structure containing Lewis basic groups was efficiently synthesized and characterized for the removal of U (VI) from liquid phase by using adsorption tenhnique. 1H, 13C-NMR, P-XRD, TEM, TEM-EDX, SEM and SEM-EDX mapping techniques were applied to define this new adsorbent material. Adsorption of U (VI) on the synthesized UTSA-76 structure was investigated depending on the parameters of pH, temperature, mixing time and solution concentrations. In the kinetic of adsorption process, not only the pseudo-second-order kinetic, but also film diffusion was effective. The adsorption equilibrium of U (VI) on UTSA-76 explained better by Langmuir isotherm model and the qmax from Langmuir isotherm was calculated as 91.31 mg/g. The newly synthesized MOF structure (UTSA-76) has been considered to be a highly effective adsorbent alternative for the removal of U (VI) even at very low uranium concentrations and small adsorbent mass.