Separation and preconcentration of uranium from geological materials with chelating resin containing 4-(2-thiazolylazo)resorcinol functional groups Original Research Article

A study has been carried out on the quantitative recovery of uranium from geological materials with TAR-XVI, a chelating resin containing 4-(2-thiazolylazo)resorcinol functional group. Selective separation of uranium was achieved by pH control and addition of complexing agents such as trans 1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N′N′-tetraacetic acid (CDTA) and ammonium fluoride. On a mini column filled with 200 mg of the chelating resin and equilibrated with 2.5 mM CDTA, uranium was sorbed at pH 5.4–5.5. Other metal ions were completely removed with a mixed washing solution (2.5 mM CDTA plus 25 mM NH4F), and uranium was recovered by eluting with 10 ml of 0.2 M HNO3. Analytical applicability of the method was evaluated by determining uranium in four geological standards and one domestic granite rock, and the results of four replicate analyses were in good agreement with certified values.