Preparation of intercalated MXene by TPAOH and its adsorption characteristics towards U(VI)

Multilayer MXene (Ti₃C₂) with large layer spacing, large specific surface area, and few surface end-groups-F was obtained by using tetrapropylammonium hydroxide intercalation. The morphology, structure, and physicochemical properties of the samples were analyzed by characterization means of XRD, FT-IR, SEM, and BET, and the removal ability of the samples for uranyl ions was investigated by the batch removal experiments. The experimental results show that the removal of U(VI) by the intercalated Ti₃C₂ is more in line with the quasi-secondary kinetic model and Langmuir isothermal model, which is heat-absorbing and spontaneous, and the maximum removal capacity of U(VI) reaches 399.18 mg/g. Finally, the characterization by means of FT-IR, XPS, etc. reveals that the removal of U(VI) is mainly due to the interaction of U(VI) with the laminar plate of the material, which is the main cause for the removal of U(VI) bound to the laminate hydroxyl groups of the material through surface complexation. The overall findings suggest that the intercalated Ti₃C₂ has potential applications in the efficient treatment of radioactive wastewater.