Shear-induced fabrication of SiO2 nano-meshes for efficient uranium capture

The extraction of uranium from seawater and the safe treatment of wastewater containing uranium (VI) were important to ensure the sustainable development of nuclear-related energy sources. Two-dimensional silica nanomaterials have been extensively investigated in the field of uranium adsorption due to their high adsorption capacity, short equilibration times, and easily modified surface groups. However, the two-dimensional mesoporous silica nanomaterial preparation has become a challenge due to the lack of natural sheet templating agents. The reason will hinder the development of silica nanomaterials for uranium extraction. Here, the specific surface area silica nanomeshes (HSMSMs) uranium adsorbent was prepared by a high shear method to induce nanobubble formation. HSMSMs showed a high uranium adsorption capacity of 822 mg-U/g-abs in seawater with the uranium adsorption concentration was 50 mg/L, which was approximately 2 times higher than the conventional mesoporous silica nanomaterials. Compared to HSMSMs, the amidoxime-modified high specific surface area silica nanomesh (HSMSMs-AO) demonstrated good selectivity for U(VI), and the uranium ions uptake was 877 mg-U/g-abs in 50 mg/L uranium-spiked simulated seawater. Due to HSMSMs-AO's stable chemical properties and high mechanical strength, HSMSMs-AO also displayed long service life. Benefiting from the simple preparation method and high adsorption capacity of HSMSMs, HSMSMs could be a promising candidate for large-scale extraction of uranium from seawater. [Display omitted] •The high specific surface area mesoporous SiO2 nano-meshes (HSMSMs) were facilely prepared via high shear mixer.•The high surface area and abundant accessible sites of HSMSM/HSMSM-AO benefited for U adsorption.•HSMSM-AO exhibits very high uranium extraction capability and selectivity.•Green and economy HSMSMs are promising in industrial uranium extraction.