Umbellate Distortions of the Uranyl Coordination Environment Result in a Stable and Porous Polycatenated Framework That Can Effectively Remove Cesium from Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

Searching for new chemically durable and radiation-resistant absorbent materials for actinides and their fission products generated in the nuclear fuel cycle remain highly desirable, for both waste management and contamination remediation. Here we present a rare case of 3D uranyl organic framework material built through polycatenating of three sets of graphene-like layers, which exhibits significant umbellate distortions in the uranyl equatorial planes studied thoroughly by linear transit calculations. This unique structural arrangement leads to high β and γ radiation-resistance and chemical stability in aqueous solutions within a wide pH range from 3 to 12. Being equipped with the highest surface area among all actinide compounds known to date and completely exchangeable [(CH3)2NH2](+) cations in the structure, this material is able to selectively remove cesium from aqueous solutions while retaining the polycatenated framework structure.