Macroscopic and spectroscopic characterization of U(VI) sorption on biotite

Knowledge of the geochemical behavior of uranium is critical for the safe disposal of radioactive wastes. Biotite, a Fe(II)-rich phyllosilicate, is a common rock-forming mineral and a major component of granite or granodiorite. This work comprehensively studied the sorption of U(VI) on biotite surface with batch experiments and analyzed the uranium speciation with various spectroscopic techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and time-resolved fluorescence spectra (TRFS). Our results indicated that uranyl ions could penetrate into the interlayer of biotite, this ion-exchange process was pH-dependent and only favorable under acidic condition. Instead of precipitation or reduction to uraninite, the TRFS results strongly suggests U(VI) forms surface complexes under the neutral and alkaline condition, though the number and structure of surface species could not be identified accurately. Besides, the oxidation of biotite with peroxide hydrogen showed that structural Fe(II) would have a very low redox reactivity. With leaching experiments, zeta potential analysis and thermodynamics calculation, we discussed the possible reasons for inhibition of U(VI) reduction at the biotite-water interface. Our results may provide insight on interaction mechanism of uranium at mineral-water interface and help us understand the migration behavior of uranium in natural environments. [Display omitted] •Biotite has strong sorption capacity towards U(VI) at pH 6.0–9.0.•Uranyl ions can penetrate into the interlayer of biotite under acidic condition.•Uranium sorption on biotite is dominated by ion-exchange and surface complexation.•The reduction of U(VI) by biotite is inhibited under aerobic conditions.