TY - JOUR
T1 - A chitosan-based interconnected porous ionic gel constructed via cryo-polymerization for uranium extraction from seawater
AU - Zhang, Fengqi
AU - Li, Dagang
AU - Zhang, Dongxiang
AU - Hou, Jinzheng
AU - Zhang, Zilei
AU - Tan, Runchao
AU - Tan, Haocun
AU - Xu, Xiyan
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2025/11/18
Y1 - 2025/11/18
N2 - Uranium extraction from seawater faces several challenges, such as extremely low uranium concentration, hydrogel adsorbents’ structural collapse under seawater pressure, and reduced adsorption efficiency in weakly alkaline conditions. To address these issues, a dual-crosslinked hydrogel matrix (CS/PAA) was developed via a one-step cryo-polymerization strategy. By integrating chemically crosslinked polyacrylic acid (PAA) and ionically crosslinked chitosan (CS), the hydrogel achieved a robust 3D interconnected porous structure with a compressive strength of 134.71 kPa. The introduction of amidoxime (AO) groups into CS/PAA further enhanced uranium adsorption, resulting in the CS/P(AA-co-AO) ionic gel. Notably, this hydrogel retained its porous architecture after ambient drying, offering a low-energy alternative to freeze-drying. The presence of chitosan not only imparts antibacterial properties but also stabilizes the gel structure under seawater conditions. The interconnected macroporous network facilitates rapid mass transfer, enabling an adsorption capacity of 11.92 mg·g−1 after 30 days in natural seawater. This innovative ionic gel, combining enhanced structural stability, environmental adaptability, and low-energy preparation, provides a promising strategy for efficient uranium recovery, addressing key limitations of conventional adsorbents.
AB - Uranium extraction from seawater faces several challenges, such as extremely low uranium concentration, hydrogel adsorbents’ structural collapse under seawater pressure, and reduced adsorption efficiency in weakly alkaline conditions. To address these issues, a dual-crosslinked hydrogel matrix (CS/PAA) was developed via a one-step cryo-polymerization strategy. By integrating chemically crosslinked polyacrylic acid (PAA) and ionically crosslinked chitosan (CS), the hydrogel achieved a robust 3D interconnected porous structure with a compressive strength of 134.71 kPa. The introduction of amidoxime (AO) groups into CS/PAA further enhanced uranium adsorption, resulting in the CS/P(AA-co-AO) ionic gel. Notably, this hydrogel retained its porous architecture after ambient drying, offering a low-energy alternative to freeze-drying. The presence of chitosan not only imparts antibacterial properties but also stabilizes the gel structure under seawater conditions. The interconnected macroporous network facilitates rapid mass transfer, enabling an adsorption capacity of 11.92 mg·g−1 after 30 days in natural seawater. This innovative ionic gel, combining enhanced structural stability, environmental adaptability, and low-energy preparation, provides a promising strategy for efficient uranium recovery, addressing key limitations of conventional adsorbents.
KW - Chitosan
KW - Cryo-polymerization
KW - Double network
KW - Hydrogel
KW - USE
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105005413816
U2 - 10.1016/j.seppur.2025.133563
DO - 10.1016/j.seppur.2025.133563
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105005413816
SN - 1383-5866
VL - 373
JO - Separation and Purification Technology
JF - Separation and Purification Technology
M1 - 133563
ER -