Designing biomimetic two-dimensional channels for uranium separation from seawater

Efficient separation of uranium from seawater stands as a pivotal challenge. This study unveils an approach focusing on the ingenious design of biomimetic two-dimensional (2D) membranes tailored explicitly for this purpose. Leveraging the unique interplay of DNA strands housing U aptamers, pH-responsive i-motifs, and poly A₍₁₀₎ segments ingeniously embedded within graphene oxide membranes, a distinctive biomimetic 2D channel is engineered. The strategic integration of these bio-inspired elements enables dynamic adjustment of interlayer spacing, augmenting both the permeability of the membrane and the selectivity of the aptamer for uranyl ions. During the separation process, the encounter between uranyl ions and the enhanced aptamer within the interlayers initiates a crucial interaction, triggering a specific concentration polarization mechanism. This mechanism stands as the cornerstone for achieving a highly selective separation of uranyl ions from the vast and complex matrix of seawater. The membrane exhibits excellent performance in real seawater, with a rejection rate of uranyl ions of ≈100% and sustained selectivity of uranyl ions over ten cycles. Importantly, the selectivity of uranium and vanadium can reach 14.66. The significance of this research lies not only in the effective separation of uranyl ions but also in showcasing the broader applicability of 2D membrane design in chemical engineering.