Process for selective removal and concentration of actinides and heavy metals from water

The ability of molybdenum hydrogen bronze, HMo2O6, to absorb heavy metals and radionuclides from water was investigated. It was found that it could remove substantial amounts of metal ions from water and was selective for metal with large radii. The products from uranium, thorium, lead, and neodymium uptake were discovered to be insoluble molybdate phases. A cyclic process was developed whereby HMo2O6 adsorbed uranium from aqueous solution and then the uranium and molybdenum trioxide were separated by treatment with aqueous ammonia. Solid ammonium uranate was isolated by filtration and the aqueous ammonium molybdate was converted back to HMo2O6.