Surface complexation modeling of U(VI) sorption on TiO2 in the presence of fulvic acid

Abstract

Abstract In this work, experiments and modeling for the interactions between uranyl ion and TiO2 in the presence of fulvic acid are presented. The results demonstrated that FA is strongly bound to TiO2, and these molecules have a very large effect on the U(VI) sorption, and vice versa. The results also demonstrated that U(VI) sorption to TiO2 in the presence and absence of sorbed FA can be well predicted with the SCD model (surface and complex distribution). According to the model calculations, the nature of the interactions between FA with U(VI) at TiO2 surface is mainly surface complex and electrostatic potential.