Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of a Bifunctional Chelator with Ultrahigh Capacity for Uranium Uptake from Seawater Simulant

Abstract

Informed by density functional theory calculations, a novel bifunctional chelator, ( Z )-2-[2-( N ′-hydroxycarbamimidoyl)phenoxy]benzoic acid, was designed and synthesized for ultrahigh uranium uptake from seawater. Investigation of the ligand for uranium sorption was conducted in artificial seawater (pH = 8.2). An exceptional uranium uptake of 553 mg of uranium (g of sorbent) −1 was obtained with a theoretical saturation capacity of 710 mg g –1 obtained by fitting isotherm data with the Langmuir–Freundlich model. The resulting yellow precipitate was characterized via X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) at the U L III -edge, with the extended XAFS spectra best fitted by a model where uranyl is coordinated by monodentate amidoxime, one chelating carboxylic acid, and two water molecules. These results are consistent with the formation of a uranium coordination polymer. The ultrahigh uranium uptake capacity obtained by the bifunctional chelating ligand makes it a promising candidate for deployment as a uranium adsorbent.