Bio-inspired nano-traps for uranium extraction from seawater and recovery from nuclear waste

Qi Sun, Briana Aguila, Jason Perman, Aleksandr S. Ivanov, Vyacheslav S. Bryantsev, Lyndsey D. Earl, Carter W. Abney, Lukasz Wojtas and Shengqian Ma ()
Additional contact information
Qi Sun: University of South Florida
Briana Aguila: University of South Florida
Jason Perman: University of South Florida
Aleksandr S. Ivanov: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Vyacheslav S. Bryantsev: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Lyndsey D. Earl: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Carter W. Abney: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Lukasz Wojtas: University of South Florida
Shengqian Ma: University of South Florida

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Nature can efficiently recognize specific ions by exerting second-sphere interactions onto well-folded protein scaffolds. However, a considerable challenge remains to artificially manipulate such affinity, while being cost-effective in managing immense amounts of water samples. Here, we propose an effective approach to regulate uranyl capture performance by creating bio-inspired nano-traps, illustrated by constructing chelating moieties into porous frameworks, where the binding motif’s coordinative interaction towards uranyl is enhanced by introducing an assistant group, reminiscent of biological systems. Representatively, the porous framework bearing 2-aminobenzamidoxime is exceptional in sequestering high uranium concentrations with sufficient capacities (530 mg g−1) and trace quantities, including uranium in real seawater (4.36 mg g−1, triple the benchmark). Using a combination of spectroscopic, crystallographic, and theory calculation studies, it is revealed that the amino substituent assists in lowering the charge on uranyl in the complex and serves as a hydrogen bond acceptor, boosting the overall uranyl affinity of amidoxime.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04032-y

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