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Efficient removal of U(VI) by self-assembly organic-embedded mesoporous silica spheres

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Published/Copyright: December 10, 2025
Radiochimica Acta
From the journal Radiochimica Acta Volume 114 Issue 3

Abstract

In this research, an in-situ encapsulation strategy for constructing two organic-embedded mesoporous silica spheres (OMSS-1 and OMSS-2) is presented, which achieves efficient U(VI) extraction from solution. By confining L-aspartic acid or citric acid within mesochannels (2.52 nm) during self-assembly, the composites attain exceptional U(VI) affinity. The OMSS-1 and OMSS-2 exhibit high U(VI) adsorption capacities of 172.4 and 188.3 mg/g. The adsorption isothermal and kinetic models are carried out to study the adsorption of U(VI) on the composites. The adsorption processes of U(VI) on OMSS-1 and OMSS-2 are in accordance with Langmuir model and the pseudo-second-order model. Crucially, aspartate-embedded spheres (OMSS-1) demonstrate excellent selectivity in multicomponent systems containing 13 competing ions. The confinement-stabilized ligands enable outstanding regenerability, retaining >93 % capacity over 5 adsorption-desorption cycles with minimal leaching (<0.8 wt%/cycle). This work provides a reference for the design and synthesis of advanced adsorption materials by reconciling the traditionally conflicting objectives of high capacity, specificity, and stability in radionuclide management.

Keywords: radioactive wastewater treatment; mesoporous silica spheres; organic functionalization; uranium; adsorption
Corresponding author: Yaorui Li, Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Nuclear Chemical Engineering and Radiochemistry, College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China, E-mail:

Funding source: the National Natural Science Foundation of China

Award Identifier / Grant number: 22206039

Funding source: the Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22206039), the Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities.

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Not applicable.

  3. Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

  4. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.

  5. Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.

  6. Research funding: The National Natural Science Foundation of China (22206039), the Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities.

  7. Data availability: The raw data can be obtained on request from the corresponding author.

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Received: 2025-07-19
Accepted: 2025-11-22
Published Online: 2025-12-10
Published in Print: 2026-03-26

© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Efficient removal of U(VI) by self-assembly organic-embedded mesoporous silica spheres
  3. Efficient adsorption of uranium and rhenium using magnetic bentonite: mechanisms and thermodynamics
  4. Electroextraction of fission element thulium from copper electrode in LiCl–KCl molten salt electrorefining process and its kinetic analysis
  5. Technetium management in liquid-liquid distribution systems for uranium extraction by DEHiBA
  6. A new type of 103Pd/103mRh generator
  7. Study of dissolved radon and optimization of 211Rn/211At generator
  8. Improving the sensitivity of atmospheric carbon-14 measurement by liquid scintillation counting through method optimization
  9. Natural radioactivity and radiological risk in spices from southeastern Turkey: a pre-earthquake baseline study
https://doi.org/10.1515/ract-2025-0068
Keywords for this article
radioactive wastewater treatment; mesoporous silica spheres; organic functionalization; uranium; adsorption

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Efficient removal of U(VI) by self-assembly organic-embedded mesoporous silica spheres
  3. Efficient adsorption of uranium and rhenium using magnetic bentonite: mechanisms and thermodynamics
  4. Electroextraction of fission element thulium from copper electrode in LiCl–KCl molten salt electrorefining process and its kinetic analysis
  5. Technetium management in liquid-liquid distribution systems for uranium extraction by DEHiBA
  6. A new type of 103Pd/103mRh generator
  7. Study of dissolved radon and optimization of 211Rn/211At generator
  8. Improving the sensitivity of atmospheric carbon-14 measurement by liquid scintillation counting through method optimization
  9. Natural radioactivity and radiological risk in spices from southeastern Turkey: a pre-earthquake baseline study
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