Acetylcysteine-functionalized microporous conjugated polymers for potential separation of uranium from radioactive effluents

Abstract

Nuclear energy is one of the major approaches to solve global energy shortage, but the nuclear industry produces a large amount of effluents containing radioactive uranium, which should be removed to meet stringent discharge standards. In this paper, a series of radioresistant microporous conjugated polymers (MCPs) are prepared for the potential separation of uranium from radioactive effluents. In particular, 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene based MCPs are prepared by the Sonogashira–Hagihara reaction and post-functionalized with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) moieties through a thiol–yne click reaction. The NAC-modified MCPs possessing excellent radioresistance and a high surface area of ∼610 m² g⁻¹ are then investigated for the potential separation of uranium from radioactive effluents. The effects of NAC graft degree, surface area, pH value, sorbent dose, initial concentration, and competing ions on uranium sorption are studied. The modified MCPs demonstrate a rapid and selective uranium separation with a high sorption capacity of ∼165 mg g⁻¹, indicating that they could be a type of promising sorbent to effectively extract uranium from radioactive effluents.