Photocatalytic removal of U(vi) from wastewater using g-C3N4@C-PAN nanofiber membranes

Abstract

Photocatalytic removal of uranium is an efficient method for uranium removal. In this paper, a novel g-C₃N₄@C-PAN nanofiber membrane has been prepared by electrospinning and thermal polymerization from carbonized dicyandiamide and polyacrylonitrile fiber film, and it has been used for photocatalytic removal of U(VI) under LED illumination. The experimental results show that the removal rate of U(VI) by g-C₃N₄@C-PAN was nearly 100% in a wide concentration range of U(VI) with great anti-interference performance. After 5 cycles, the removal rate of g-C₃N₄@C-PAN for uranium remains above 90%, showing excellent reusable performance. The mechanism studies show that the e⁻ and ˙O₂⁻ play an important role in the photocatalytic removal of U(VI), and they can react with U(VI) to form (UO₂)O₂·2H₂O, thus realizing the fixation and removal of U(VI). This work shows that the nanofiber membrane prepared by electrospinning technology has considerable application prospects for the photocatalytic treatment of uranium-containing wastewater.