Insight into the performance and mechanism of low-cost phytic acid modified Zn-Al-Ti LMO for U(VI) removal

[Display omitted] •Oriented functionalization of Zn-Al-Ti LMO is performed under different conditions for U(VI) removal.•Adsorption of U(VI) nearly approaches equilibrium within 200 min.•The maximum adsorption capacity of U(VI) by Zn-Al-Ti LMO@PA5 is up to 1486 mg/g.•Adsorption mechanisms are characterized by the strong chelation of PA and U(VI). The efficient treatment of uranium (U) is an important and challenging issue regarding radioactive wastes management. Adsorbent with high efficacy, low-cost is urgently needed for alleviating the contamination of U-containing wastewaters. To solve these issues, we report a series of phytic acid (PA) modified Zn-Al-Ti layered mixed metal oxides (Zn-Al-Ti LMO@PAs) in this work, which shows the adsorption capacity as high as ∼1486 mg/g and could be easily obtained through a facile post-modification method. The adsorption performance of Zn-Al-Ti LMO@PAs for U(VI) are carefully estimated through batch experiments. With the aid of batch experiments and various characterization techniques, PA in Zn-Al-Ti LMO@PAs is found to make the most contribution for the chelation of U(VI), which favors for the adsorption selectivity and capability. The Zn-Al-Ti LMO@PAs are potential cost-effective adsorbents to remove the U(VI) in wastewaters.