Application of diol derivatives as a natural extractant for uranium from its solutions.

The main aim of the present work is to prepare a natural extractant from the Egyptian plant remains, banana peels. The latter were chosen because they are considered among the popular and widespread plant wastes in Egypt. In this study, banana peels were investigated as a solvent to extract uranium ions from sulfate leach liquor. A synthetic sulfate solution was firstly conducted to optimize the extraction conditions. The work was then oriented to extract uranium from Abu Thor ore sulfate leach liquor. Finally, the results proved that uranium can be efficiently recovered from its sulfate solution using banana peels extractant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]