One-step electrospinning preparation of magnetic NZVI@TiO2 nanofibers for enhanced immobilization of U(VI) from aqueous solution

The application of nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) for U(VI) removal often presents limitations due to its easy aggregation. The anchor of monodisperse NZVI on stable substrate has been verified an effective strategy to maximize the advantages of NZVI and promote the immobilization of U(VI). Herein, NZVI/TiO2 nanofibers were one-step prepared by electrospinning technology and followed by in-situ H2-reduction process, which granted the great dispersion uniformity and negligible aggregation of NZVI. The NZVI/TiO2 nanofiber consisting of Fe and FeTiO3 showed a large saturation magnetization, which enabled the feasible solid–liquid separation by external magnetic field. The NZVI/TiO2 nanofiber exhibited good uranium immobilization ability with an adsorption capacity was 122.3 mg g−1 at pH 7.0. XPS revealed that the U(VI) elimination was conducted by both adsorption and reduction of U(VI) to NZVI/TiO2. The proposed NZVI/TiO2 nanofibers provide a great platform by reduction to efficiently remediate U-uranium wastewater.