Green Synthesis of Magnetic Algae Supported Fe3O4 via MOF Pyrolysis for Efficient UO₂(NO₃)₂ Adsorption
摘要
Uranium contamination in water bodies poses serious environmental and health risks, necessitating the development of efficient and recyclable adsorbents. In this study, a novel magnetic biosorbent, GS@Fe3O₄, was synthesized via a green MOF-pyrolysis route, in which an iron-based metal–organic framework (Fe-MOF) grown on Galdieria sulphuraria (GS) was partially converted into a porous Fe3O₄ coating. The resulting composite exhibited excellent uranium adsorption performance, with a maximum capacity of 756.06 mg·g⁻1 at pH 6 and 25 °C. The adsorption process followed the Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.988) and pseudo‑second‑order kinetic models (R2 = 0.984), suggesting monolayer chemisorption. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed the spontaneous and endothermic nature of adsorption (ΔG < 0, ΔH = + 65 kJ·mol⁻1). The adsorption mechanism primarily involved coordination between U(VI) and Fe–O groups, along with complexation with phosphorus-containing functional groups derived from the algal biomass. The material also demonstrated convenient magnetic separability, good selectivity in the presence of competing ions, and maintained over 80% adsorption efficiency after three regeneration cycles. This work provides a feasible and sustainable strategy for the recovery of uranium from complex aqueous environments.