A group of scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Physics and Chemistry Technical Institute developed an advanced method to produce uranium from ocean water, inspired by natural structures. Adsorban, created in the porous fruits of the Liquidambar Formosana tree, shows unprecedented efficiency in capture of uranium ions. The study was published scientifically magazine Subject.
The World Ocean contains approximately 4 billion tons of enormous uranium reserves, a thousand times higher than the volume of all known ground beds. However, the ultra -low concentration of this valuable element (only 3.3 micrograms per liter) has made industrial production still profitable.
The new biomimetic adsorban solved this problem because of its unique structure. The hierarchical system of the pores that repeat the natural mechanism of the plant allows the rapid transport of ions – in only 0.3 seconds. Nanolovushki, specially designed, ignores other metals such as vanadium and iron, selectively captures Uranus ions.
Experiments showed that the new material shows 213% higher adsorption capability than traditional solutions. The optimal density of the pores obtained due to the controlled thickness of the walls and the exact settings of the synthesis parameters also increases the effectiveness of the technology.
Technology can provide access to almost inexhaustible uranium reserves, reduce dependence on traditional beds, and offer an environmentally friendly production method that does not violate sea ecosystems.
Previously, scientists learnedThere may be large helium reserves in the core of the Earth.
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Source: Gazeta
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