A convenient functionalization strategy of polyimide covalent organic frameworks for uranium-containing wastewater treatment and uranium recovery

Lien Zhu; Chunhong Zhang; Ruiqi Zhu; Xianqi Cao; Jianwei Bai; Yudan Wang; Lijia Liu; Hongxing Dong; Fuqiu Ma

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133320

A convenient functionalization strategy of polyimide covalent organic frameworks for uranium-containing wastewater treatment and uranium recovery

J Hazard Mater. 2024 Mar 5:465:133320. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133320. Epub 2023 Dec 20.

Authors

Lien Zhu¹, Chunhong Zhang², Ruiqi Zhu¹, Xianqi Cao³, Jianwei Bai¹, Yudan Wang¹, Lijia Liu⁴, Hongxing Dong¹, Fuqiu Ma⁵

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, PR China.
² Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, PR China; Yantai Research Institute of Harbin Engineering University, Yantai 264006, PR China. Electronic address: zhangchunhong97@163.com.
³ Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, PR China; Institute of Petrochemistry Heilongjiang Academy of Sciences, Harbin 150040, PR China.
⁴ Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, PR China; Yantai Research Institute of Harbin Engineering University, Yantai 264006, PR China.
⁵ Yantai Research Institute of Harbin Engineering University, Yantai 264006, PR China; College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, PR China.

PMID: 38142653
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133320

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to design and synthesize an adsorbent based on polyimide covalent organic frameworks (PICOFs) for uranium-containing wastewater treatment and uranium recovery. A modified solvothermal method was innovatively proposed to synthesize PICOFs with high specific surface area (1998.5 m² g^-1) and regular pore structure. Additionally, a convenient functionalization strategy of PICOFs was designed through polydopamine (PDA) and a well-dispersed polymer (MPC-co-AO) containing multiple functional groups, forming stable composite (PMCA-TPPICOFs) in which the hydrogen bonding and cation-π interactions between PDA and MPC-co-AO played a key role. The obtained PMCA-TPPICOFs as an adsorbent exhibited strong selectivity for uranyl ions (maximum adsorption capacity was 538 mg g^-1). In simulated wastewater with low uranium concentrations, the removal rate reached 98.3%, and the concentration of treated simulated wastewater met discharge standards. Moreover, PMCA-TPPICOFs was suitable for fixed-bed column adsorption because of its favorable structure. According to the research about adsorption mechanism, the adsorption primarily relied on electrostatic interaction and complexation. In summary, PMCA-TPPICOFs exhibited good potential for uranium-containing wastewater treatment, expanding the application of PICOFs. And the proposed functionalization strategy and modified solvothermal method may promote research in the fields of material functionalization and COFs synthesis. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: Uranium is a raw material for nuclear energy applications, which is toxic and radioactive. If uranium is discharged with wastewater, it would not only pose a threat to the environmental protection and life safety, but also cause the loss of precious nuclear raw materials. Although adsorption was considered to be an effective way to remove uranium, many of the developed adsorbents were difficult to apply due to the harsh wastewater environment and complex preparation processes. This study reported a novel adsorbent and a new functionalization strategy, which was expected to solve the problem of uranium recovery in wastewater.

Keywords: Composite; Polydopamine; Polyimide covalent organic frameworks; Uranium adsorbent; Wastewater treatment.