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Uranium (VI) Adsorption by Al-Doped ZnO/PVDF Fiber Composite: Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

Authors :

Ikbal Gozde Kaptanoglu¹ Sabriye Yusan² Sermin Cam Kaynar³ Umit Huseyin Kaynar⁴

1- Ege University 2- Ege University 3- Manisa Celal Bayar University 4- Bakırçay University

Keywords :

Uranium(VI)،Response Surface Methodology،Adsorption،Fiber composite

Abstract :

Environmental issues have reached alarming levels, highlighting the urgent need for effective waste removal and recycling processes in energy and industrial sectors. In particular, the removal of radionuclide contamination, which is increasingly prevalent due to the expansion of the nuclear industry, remains both challenging and costly but is crucial for environmental protection. The development of technological and cost-effective methods, along with advanced facilities, is essential for the separation and purification of radioactive elements from nuclear activities and mining operations. Among these methods, adsorption has emerged as a fundamental technique for reducing radioactive waste activity, minimizing waste volume by converting it to solid form, and safely removing liquid radioactive contaminants. This study explores the adsorption capabilities of Al metal ion-doped ZnO PVDF fiber composite materials synthesized via electrospinning, specifically for the removal of uranium (VI) from aqueous solutions. Structural changes in the adsorbent were characterized through XRD, SEM, BET, and zeta potential analyses. The adsorption process was further optimized using response surface methodology (RSM), a widely employed technique in industrial research to model adsorption behavior. Testing parameters were pH (3–8), temperature (20–60°C), uranium (VI) concentration (25–125 mg/L), and adsorbent dosage (0.0025–0.04 g). The optimal combination of these factors was determined via central composite design (CCD), which indicated a second order (quadratic) model with R² and adjusted R² values of 0.9914 and 0.9675, respectively. Under the model’s theoretically optimal conditions, the maximum adsorption capacity of the Al-doped ZnO/ PVDF fiber composite was found to be 129.2 mg/g.