A team of researchers from Lanzhou University has pioneered a groundbreaking biomimetic membrane designed to extract uranium from seawater and salt lake water. Published in the latest issue of Advanced Materials, this two-dimensional membrane leverages charge assembly and hydrogen bonding to achieve precise separation of uranyl ions.
Uranium plays a pivotal role in the nuclear industry, yet China has long grappled with a shortage of uranium ore resources. Although abundant in seawater and salt lakes, the extraction of low-concentration uranyl ions has been economically and technically challenging.
Traditional two-dimensional materials like graphene oxide have shown promise in ion separation technologies but often suffer from structural damage under high pressure or prolonged use. Inspired by the resilience of plant cell walls, the research team ingeniously combined graphene oxide with engineered bacteria to create a dense and stable biomimetic membrane.
The results are impressive: the new membrane boasts a mechanical strength over twelve times greater than that of conventional graphene oxide membranes and excels in the precise capture of uranyl ions. Li Zhan, the corresponding author of the study, emphasized that this advancement offers an efficient and sustainable method for uranium extraction from seawater.
Tian Longlong, another team member, highlighted the membrane's high selectivity, stability, and low energy consumption, which are crucial for scaling up and industrializing uranium resource recovery. The team is currently fine-tuning the membrane structure and optimizing production processes to accelerate the technology's application.
Beyond uranium extraction, Lanzhou University envisions broad applications for this technology in water treatment, wastewater recycling, and energy recovery. Such innovations are instrumental in addressing global challenges like resource shortages, energy crises, and environmental pollution.
Reference(s):
Chinese researchers invent biomimetic membrane to extract uranium
cgtn.com
