Synergy of pyrophosphate and unsaturated nitrogen sites for efficient uranium recovery from concentrated nitric acid

Yaping Jian, Jiacheng Zhang, Xuewen Cao, Qin Peng, Jun Zhang, Xuefeng Tian, Jianfei Du, Yan Li, Yihui Yuan () and Ning Wang ()
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Yaping Jian: Hainan University
Jiacheng Zhang: Hainan University
Xuewen Cao: Hainan University
Qin Peng: Hainan Normal University
Jun Zhang: Hainan University
Xuefeng Tian: Hainan University
Jianfei Du: Hainan University
Yan Li: Hainan University
Yihui Yuan: Hainan University
Ning Wang: Hainan University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Efficient recovery of uranium from spent nuclear fuel (SNF) reprocessing in ultra-acidic and radiation-intensive environments is critical for sustainable uranium resources management. However, traditional extractants exhibit instability and reduced uranium adsorption capacity under such harsh conditions. Here, we present a metal-free pyrophosphate-incorporated g-C₃N₄ polymer (PCNx) featuring unsaturated nitrogen sites and pyrophosphate groups for robust uranyl ion coordination. The inherent stability of g-C3N4 endows PCNx with high resistance to concentrated 12 M HNO3 and 500 kGy radiation. The optimal PCN1/3 achieves an uranium adsorption capacity of 75.3 mg g−1 in 12 M HNO3 and a high removal efficiency of 79.1% in a mixed ion solution, with a high distribution coefficient (Kd) of 18,964 mL g−1. This study demonstrates a promising proof-of-concept for designing functional polymers that efficiently recovers uranium from ultra-acidic and radiation-intensive conditions during SNF reprocessing.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64316-y

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