Efficient Removal of Anionic Radioactive Pollutant from Water Using Ordered Urea-Functionalized Mesoporous Polymeric...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Radioactive technetium (TcO4-) is a challenging pollutant in nuclear waste.
• Developing efficient and selective sorbents is crucial for nuclear waste remediation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a urea-functionalized ordered mesoporous polymeric nanoparticle (urea-MPN).
• To evaluate the efficacy of urea-MPN in removing perrhenate (ReO4-) as a surrogate for TcO4-.
• To investigate the mechanism and selectivity of perrhenate removal.

Main Methods:

• Surfactant-directed self-assembly of urea-phenol-formaldehyde resol oligomers under hydrothermal conditions.
• Characterization of the nanomaterial's morphology, structure, and functional groups.
• Batch experiments to assess perrhenate removal efficiency, kinetics, and selectivity in aqueous solutions.

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized uniform, nanosized spherical urea-MPN with ordered cubic mesoporous structure.
• Demonstrated excellent beta radiation resistance up to 200 kGy.
• Achieved high perrhenate removal efficiency (0.25 mM) within 30 minutes via hydrogen-bonding interactions.
• Exhibited selective removal of perrhenate in the presence of common competing anions.

Conclusions:

• Urea-MPN is a highly effective and selective sorbent for perrhenate removal.
• The nanomaterial's structure and urea functionalization facilitate rapid adsorption via hydrogen bonding.
• This offers a sustainable and economical approach for nuclear waste decontamination.