Hierarchically Porous Composite Hydrogel

Efficient uranium extraction from seawater

Combines high selectivity with satisfactory mechanical properties, enabling long-term uranium adsorption directly in natural seawater.

Zhang, Jianqiao · Zhu, Zhongjie · Liu, Guangfeng · Tian, Qiang · Liu, Jiaxiang · Li, Jixiang

Desalination 2026

Specifications

U/V selectivity

{'zh': '1.57', 'en': '1.57'}

Elongation at break

{'zh': '422', 'en': '422'} %

Tensile strength

{'zh': '0.21', 'en': '0.21'} MPa

Water absorptivity in seawater

{'zh': '253', 'en': '253'} %

Advantages

Good mechanical properties

Elongation at break of 422% and tensile strength of 0.21 MPa allow the hydrogel to withstand deformation during long-term seawater immersion.

Applications

• Uranium extraction from seawater：Directly adsorbs uranium from natural seawater for long-term deployment without pretreatment.
• Nuclear fuel recovery：Enriches uranium from uranium-containing water bodies such as seawater, supplementing nuclear fuel sources.
• Marine resource utilization：Extracts uranium resources from the ocean, enabling efficient utilization of marine resources.