Simultaneous removal and recovery of uranium from aqueous solution using TiO photoelectrochemical reduction method.

U(VI)-containing wastewater has potential radiation hazard to the environment, but contains valuable uranium resource. Based on the reduction of U(VI) and the difference in solubility between U(VI) and U(IV), here we construct a TiO-based photoelectrochemical cell to remove U(VI) and recover uranium from aqueous solution. By irradiating TiO photoanode at E = 0.45 V versus SCE, U(VI) can be simultaneously removed from aqueous solution and recovered as solid uranium compounds on a FTO glass cathode. Since ethanol can act as hole scavenger to protect the formed U(IV) and provide CO as reductant, ethanol adding improved the U(VI) reduction efficiency of TiO-based photoelectrochemical cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]