Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • P1 achieves complete iodine adsorption within 5 minutes, with an adsorption rate constant (k_obs) of 18.92 g g−1 min−1, the highest reported among porous organic polymers, enabling rapid response in emergency scenarios. • • P1 demonstrates 96.4% removal efficiency for radioactive 131I in dynamic flow-through experiments, significantly reducing radiation contamination in wastewater streams. • • The adsorbents maintain performance across pH 2–10, indicating robustness under acidic and alkaline conditions typical of industrial effluents. • • The polymers are easily regenerated, confirming reusability and cost-effectiveness for repeated use in iodine capture applications.
Abstract
The release of radioactive iodine from nuclear accidents and nuclear medicine poses significant environmental and health risks. Here, we report the design and synthesis of two cross-linked macrocycle-based porous organic polymers (P1 and P2) with different functionalities for efficient and rapid capture of radioactive iodine. P1 achieves complete iodine adsorption within 5 minutes, with an exceptional adsorption rate constant (k_obs) of 18.92 g g−1 min−1 (8.24 g g−1 min−1 for P2), representing a record-high iodine removal rate among state-of-the-art porous organic polymers. P1 demonstrates superior iodine adsorption efficacy in dynamic flow-through experiments, achieving a remarkable efficiency of 96.4% for radioactive 131I removal, greatly minimizing radiation contamination. Experimental and modelling techniques reveal that the superior iodine adsorption performance originates from electron-rich functional groups, hydrophobic surface, and porous structure of P1, thus exhibiting remarkable iodine capture capabilities through charge transfer, halogen bonding, and hydrophobic effects. The adsorbents show excellent stability and performance under complex and harsh conditions (pH 2–10) and can be easily regenerated, confirming their excellent reusability and potential for practical applications.
1. Introduction
Radioactive iodine isotopes, particularly 131I and 129I, pose severe environmental and health hazards due to their volatility, bioaccumulation, and long half-life (1.57 × 10^7 years for 129I). Traditional adsorbents such as activated carbon and zeolites suffer from limited adsorption capacity and slow kinetics, failing to meet the urgent need for rapid and efficient capture in nuclear accident scenarios or medical wastewater treatment. Advanced materials like MOFs and COFs have shown promise for gaseous iodine, but their performance in aqueous solutions remains suboptimal, often plagued by poor stability or slow uptake rates.
This study introduces tetralactam macrocycle-based porous organic polymers (P1 and P2) engineered with electron-rich functional groups and hydrophobic surfaces to overcome these bottlenecks. The polymers achieve record-fast adsorption kinetics (k_obs = 18.92 g g−1 min−1 for P1) and high removal efficiency (96.4% for 131I) in dynamic flow conditions, while maintaining stability across a wide pH range (2–10). These attributes directly address the critical need for robust, reusable adsorbents capable of rapid iodine sequestration in complex aqueous environments, offering a viable solution for radioactive waste management.
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YU Qiu, LV Sheng, YANG Qing, CHANG Bohao, BAI Jinquan, LIU Xun-Yu, MA Yujie, YAO Huan, YANG Liu-Pan, WANG Li-Li (2026). Tetralactam Macrocycle-Based Polymers for Efficient and Rapid Adsorption of Radioactive Iodine. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-025-4045-x
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum adsorption capacity of P1 for iodine in aqueous solutions, and how does it compare to other state-of-the-art adsorbents?
The paper reports that P1 achieves complete iodine adsorption within 5 minutes, but the maximum adsorption capacity is not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, the adsorption rate constant (k_obs) of 18.92 g g−1 min−1 is the highest among porous organic polymers, indicating superior kinetics. For capacity, further details would be required from the full paper.
How does the adsorption performance of P1 and P2 vary under different pH conditions, and what is the underlying mechanism for their stability?
The adsorbents show excellent stability and performance across pH 2–10. The stability is attributed to the robust cross-linked polymer network and the hydrophobic surface, which resist hydrolysis and maintain structural integrity. The electron-rich functional groups facilitate iodine capture via charge transfer and halogen bonding, which are less affected by pH variations.
What is the regeneration efficiency of P1 after iodine adsorption, and how many cycles can it be reused without significant loss of performance?
The paper states that the adsorbents can be easily regenerated, confirming their excellent reusability. Specific regeneration efficiency and cycle numbers are not provided in the abstract, but the ease of regeneration suggests high reusability, which is critical for cost-effective industrial application.
How does the dynamic flow-through experiment simulate real-world conditions, and what is the significance of the 96.4% removal efficiency for 131I?
The dynamic flow-through experiment mimics continuous wastewater treatment, where contaminated water passes through the adsorbent bed. The 96.4% removal efficiency for 131I indicates that P1 can effectively reduce radioactive iodine concentrations to safe levels in a single pass, minimizing radiation exposure and environmental contamination.
What are the scalability prospects for synthesizing P1 and P2, and are the starting materials commercially available?
The synthesis involves tetralactam macrocycles and cross-linking agents. While the paper does not detail scalability, the use of porous organic polymers suggests potential for large-scale production via straightforward polymerization. The availability of starting materials would need to be assessed, but macrocycle chemistry is well-established, and scale-up is feasible with optimization.
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