Liquidambar formosana fruit-inspired hierarchical nano-trap framework for efficient uranium extraction from seawater

Abstract

Efficient uranium extraction from seawater is essential for sustaining nuclear energy, yet this process requires adsorbents with high selectivity in complex environments. Nano-trap materials exhibit superior selectivity for uranium ions; however, their capacity is often limited by substantial mass transfer resistance, which impedes the diffusion of ions to active binding sites. Inspired by the hierarchical porous structure of Liquidambar formosana fruit, known for promoting rapid mass transfer, this study constructs MOF-based nano-trap adsorbents with biomimetic hierarchical porosity using a soft-template approach. The integration of macropores within the MOF framework enhances uranyl ion transport and maximizes the accessibility of functional binding sites, thereby significantly improving adsorption efficiency. Experimental results demonstrate a 213% increase in adsorption capacity in aqueous solutions and a 150% improvement in natural seawater. This work presents a strategy to address mass transfer limitations in functionalized MOFs, offering a promising approach for developing high-selectivity adsorbents for seawater uranium extraction.