One-step synthesis of Ag2O@Mg(OH)2 nanocomposite as an efficient scavenger for iodine and uranium.

Ag2O nanoparticles anchored on the Mg(OH)2 nanoplates (Ag2O@Mg(OH)2) were successfully prepared by a facile one-step method, which combined the Mg(OH)2 formation with Ag2O deposition. The synthesized products were characterized by a wide range of techniques including powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and nitrogen physisorption analysis. It was found that Ag2O nanoparticles anchored on the Mg(OH)2 nanoplates show good dispersion and less aggregation relative to the single Ag2O nanoaggregates. In addition, iodide (I-) removal by the Ag2O@Mg(OH)2 nanocomposite was studied systematically. Batch experiments reveal that the nanocomposite exhibits extremely high I- removal rate (<10min), and I- removal capacity is barely affected by the concurrent anions, such as Cl-, SO42-, CO32- and NO3-. Furthermore, I- and UO22+ could be simultaneously removed by the nanocomposite with high efficiency. Due to the simple synthetic procedure, the excellent removal performances for iodine and uranium, and the easy separation from water, the Ag2O@Mg(OH)2 nanocomposite has real potential for application in radioactive wastewater treatment, especially during episodic environmental crisis.