Complexation of uranyl ions by polypyrrole doped by sulfonated and phosphonated polyethyleneimine

Branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) was sulfonated by reaction with chloropropanesulfonylchloride and phosphonated by reaction with phosphorous acid and formaldehyde. The accordingly formed polyanions were used as doping agents for polypyrrole (PPy). The amount of doping polyanions into thin films of PPy was measured by Rutherford back-scattering. These films were tested for their capacity to extract uranyl ions from liquid wastes of low level activity. The uranium content was determined by neutron activation analysis, autoradiography, and gravimetry of uranium oxide after calcination. The resistance against static and dynamic leachings was also estimated.