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A negatively-charged supramolecular trap for precisely catching strontium ion

Author

Listed:
  • Lei Li

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Ziyi Liu

    (Dalian University of Technology)

  • Xiaocheng Xu

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Lei Xu

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Xiaofan Yang

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Hanxi Guan

    (Institute of Zhejiang University-Quzhou)

  • Zhonglong Li

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Chengliang Xiao

    (Zhejiang University
    Institute of Zhejiang University-Quzhou)

Abstract

Due to the analogous physicochemical properties and weak coordination ability of alkali and alkaline earth metals, accurate separation of radioactive 90Sr from groundwater or seawater still presents a big challenge in environmental radioactivity remediation. Here we mimic the complexation behavior of molecular crown-ether carboxylic acids to construct an elegant negatively charged supramolecular trap in an anionic crown ether-based metal-organic framework (ZJU-X99) for precisely catching Sr2+. Owing to the synergistic effects of electrostatic interactions arising from the In(COO)4- nodes and supramolecular host-guest recognition from the 18-crown-6 rings, ZJU-X99 exhibits rapid adsorption kinetics (1 min), high adsorption capacity (263 mg/g), and exceptional selectivity for Sr2+ even when 1000-fold of Na⁺, K⁺ and Cs⁺ coexist. Relative to alkali metals, Sr2+ ions are intricately ensconced within the supramolecular trap, resulting in lowest binding energy and minimal structural alterations. Dynamic column experiments and radioactive 90Sr decontamination trials further validate its practical application prospects. Our findings offer valuable insights into the design of supramolecular frameworks featuring tailored binding sites for targeted ions.

Suggested Citation

  • Lei Li & Ziyi Liu & Xiaocheng Xu & Lei Xu & Xiaofan Yang & Hanxi Guan & Zhonglong Li & Chengliang Xiao, 2025. "A negatively-charged supramolecular trap for precisely catching strontium ion," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57844-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57844-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jun-Hao Tang & Jian-Ce Jin & Wei-An Li & Xi Zeng & Wen Ma & Ji-Long Li & Tian-Tian Lv & Ying-Chen Peng & Mei-Ling Feng & Xiao-Ying Huang, 2022. "Highly selective cesium(I) capture under acidic conditions by a layered sulfide," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Yujian Yao & Pingxia Zhang & Chao Jiang & Ryan M. DuChanois & Xuan Zhang & Menachem Elimelech, 2021. "High performance polyester reverse osmosis desalination membrane with chlorine resistance," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 4(2), pages 138-146, February.
    3. Lijuan Feng & Hui Wang & Tingting Liu & Tiantian Feng & Meng Cao & Jiacheng Zhang & Tao Liu & Zhanhu Guo & Costas Galiotis & Yihui Yuan & Ning Wang, 2023. "Ultrasensitive and highly selective detection of strontium ions," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 6(7), pages 789-796, July.
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