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Engineering multifunctional nanoporous polymer networks through covalent nanoparticle linking for ultrafast iodine
Aayush Anand1, Suresh Tiwari1, Ashish Kumar Giri1
1Department of chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bihta, Patna, 801106, Bihar, India. sch@iitp.ac.in.
Materials Horizons
|February 13, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a sustainable method to create a nanoporous polymer network (PP-PZ) for efficient radioactive iodine capture. This material demonstrates exceptional adsorption capacities and ultrafast kinetics, crucial for nuclear waste remediation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science, Polymer Chemistry, Environmental Engineering
Background:
- Efficient capture of radioactive iodine from nuclear waste is a critical challenge.
- Porous polymeric frameworks require accessible functional groups for optimal adsorption performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a sustainable synthetic strategy for a nanoporous polymer network (PP-PZ) with enhanced iodine adsorption capabilities.
- To investigate the structural properties and adsorption performance of the synthesized PP-PZ for radioactive iodine removal.
Main Methods:
- A sustainable synthesis involving crosslinking colloidal nanoparticles in water using piperazine as a crosslinker.
- Characterization of the resulting polymer network (PP-PZ) using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and zeta potential measurements.
- Evaluation of iodine adsorption capacities from vapor, aqueous, and organic phases, and assessment of adsorption kinetics.
Main Results:
- The synthesized PP-PZ exhibits a mesoporous texture (∼3 nm pore diameter) and a high surface area (143 m² g⁻¹).
- Exceptional iodine uptake capacities were achieved: 12.4 g g⁻¹ (vapor), 8.5 g g⁻¹ (aqueous), and 5.3 g g⁻¹ (organic).
- Ultrafast adsorption kinetics were observed in water (equilibrium in ~1 min) with demonstrated reusability in simulated wastewater and continuous-flow systems.
Conclusions:
- The developed PP-PZ offers a promising solution for ultrafast and efficient radioactive iodine capture from nuclear waste streams.
- The sustainable synthesis strategy and high performance highlight the potential for industrial nuclear waste remediation applications.
- The material's stability and reusability in challenging conditions underscore its practical applicability.
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