Graphene oxide based ion-imprinted polymers for selective uranium adsorption from seawater

The project for the uranium adsorption from seawater provides a new idea for acquisition of uranium resources. However, the low concentration of uranium in seawater, the presence of multiple metal ions, and the attachment of microorganisms all affect the adsorption of uranium by the material. To solve these problems, graphene oxide (GO)-based uranium imprinted polymers with antibacterial properties and specific selectivity for uranium were prepared. β-1,3 glucan was selected as the functional monomer for grafting GO, followed by the imprinting process with uranyl ions as the target template. After elution of the target ions by hydrochloric acid, the ion-imprinted polymer was prepared (GOG-RE). The results of ion-competition adsorption experiments showed that the imprinted material had a high adsorption selectivity for uranyl ions, the K_d value of 1.28 × 10⁵ mL∙g⁻¹. The calculated maximum adsorption capacity was 806.45 mg·g⁻¹. Antibacterial experiments have proven its significant inhibitory effect on E. coli (Gram-negative), S. Aureus (Gram-positive) and Pseudoalteromonas marina. The above results indicate that GOG-RE has excellent application prospects in the field of uranium adsorption from seawater.