Detection of Adsorbed U(VI) Surface Species on Muscovite by TRLFS

Spectroscopic evidence for two adsorbed uranium(VI) surface species on edge surfaces of a muscovite platelet was obtained by Time-resolved Laser-induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy (TRLFS). In contrast, no fluorescence signal was obtained on the basal plane surfaces clearly indicating that U(VI) sorption on muscovite predominantly takes place at the edge surfaces. TRLFS spectra of adsorbed U(VI) surface species on gibbsite are very similar and show that U(VI) sorption on muscovite occurs on aluminol sites of the edge surfaces.