Soft Self-Templating Approach-Derived Covalent Triazine Framework with Bimodal Nanoporosity for Efficient Radioactive Iodine Capture for Safe Nuclear Energy

Abstract

To achieve a superior removal efficiency of iodine from different phases relevant to radioactive iodine emission (129I/131I) for safe nuclear energy, optimized porous architectures with high surface area and large pore volume featuring appropriate pore size/shape and distribution along with a suitable chemical environment are sought. Herein, we report a soft self-templating synthesis strategy utilizing a low-cost and easily accessible 2,5-dimethoxy terephthalonitrile (L OMe ) monomer to prepare a nitrogen/oxygen codoped nanoporous covalent triazine framework ( MeO -CTF600) possessing an extremely high specific surface area of 2731 m2 g–1 and a record pore volume of 3.33 cm3 g–1. Interestingly, this framework shows extensive bimodal nanoporosity ranging from the micropore (1–2 nm) to narrow mesopore (2–10 nm) region, necessary to achieve superior iodine adsorption. MeO -CTF600 exhibits outstanding iodine capture performance from iodine vapor (578 wt %), including aqueous (221 wt %) and organic (849 mg g–1) solutions of iodine, under nuclear-fuel reprocessing conditions (348 K) compared to benchmark materials. In addition, the framework shows extremely fast adsorption kinetics and regenerability, making it a promising adsorbent tackling all sorts of radioiodine contamination toward clean and safe nuclear power sources.

Exploring a Redox-Active Ionic Porous Organic Polymer in Environmental Remediation and Electrochromic Application

“…It is well established from the literature that viologen derivatives undergo facile charge transfer due to low-energy lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) as an electron acceptor. , The noticeable color change in the dicationic viologen derivatives by forming radical cations clearly indicates electron transfer in the presence of electron-rich chemicals such as ammonia. Though there are several reports of the viologen-based systems for ammonia sensing in the literature, only a few reports of the viologen-based solid-state materials in ammonia sensing are available. ,,, The dicationic viologen linkage in our synthesized material encourages us to investigate its ability in ammonia vapor sensing.…”

“…Though several studies regarding iodine capture are reported in the literature, these studies are limited to the vapor phase and in some organic solvents like cyclohexane. Significant attention is not being paid to the iodine capture from an aqueous medium, − which is equally important in keeping the extremely volatile nature of iodine in mind. In the nuclear power industries, during the nuclear fission process, the radioactive iodide nuclides might enter the environment and subsequently contaminate the natural water resources.…”

“…Though there are several reports of the viologen-based systems for ammonia sensing in the literature, only a few reports of the viologen-based solid-state materials in ammonia sensing are available. 44,49,51,52 The dicationic viologen linkage in our synthesized material encourages us to investigate its ability in ammonia vapor sensing.…”

A Novel Azo‐Linked Polymer Bearing Trifluoromethyl Groups for I2 Capture

“…[7,8] Among these materials, the POPs stand out because of their specific surface area, abundant pores, and regulatable pore size. [9,10] At present, a number of POPs have been reported for the capture of iodine, with some examples including porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs), [11,12] covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs), [13,14] covalent organic frameworks (COFs), [15,16] and azo-linked polymers (ALPs). [17,18] Among these POPs, some impressive progress has been achieved with ALPs, [19,20] as we all know that the characteristic of constituent units for materials influence the performance of the materials, [21,22] the azo bond improve the performance of materials.…”

“…[ 7,8 ] Among these materials, the POPs stand out because of their specific surface area, abundant pores, and regulatable pore size. [ 9,10 ] At present, a number of POPs have been reported for the capture of iodine, with some examples including porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs), [ 11,12 ] covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs), [ 13,14 ] covalent organic frameworks (COFs), [ 15,16 ] and azo‐linked polymers (ALPs). [ 17,18 ]…”