First-Principles Integrated Adsorption Modeling for Selective Capture of Uranium from Seawater by Polyamidoxime Sorbent Materials

Highly efficient extraction of uranium from seawater by polyamide and amidoxime co-functionalized MXene

Uranium mainly exists in the form of uranyl carbonate in seawater. [UO₂(CO₃)₃]^4- has strong stability, which increases the difficulty of uranium extraction from seawater. Meanwhile, the complex marine environment, a large number of coexisting competing ions and biological pollution are all non-negligible disturbing factors. Herein, we introduced amidoxime (AO) groups into the surface of Ti₃C₂ and grafted polyamides (PA) by a simple one-step hydrothermal method to produce an efficient seawater uranium extraction adsorbent Ti₃C₂-AO-PA. Owing to the amidoxime groups, the material was highly selective for uranium. And the large number of amino groups in the polyamides gave it ideal resistance to biofouling. The possibility of Ti₃C₂-AO-PA as an adsorbent for uranium extraction from seawater was confirmed by various characterization techniques, numerous adsorption batch experiments, simulated seawater experiments and antibacterial performance tests. It was demonstrated that the uptake of [UO₂(CO₃)₃]^4- by Ti₃C₂-AO-PA showed fast reaction kinetics (about 120 min), brilliant absorption capacity (81.1 mg·g^-1 at pH 8.3), significant high selectivity (32.8 mg-U/g-Ads) and outstanding anti-biological contamination performance (92.9% antibacterial rate). XPS and DFT further indicated that the high extraction ability of Ti₃C₂-AO-PA for uranium was mainly attributed to the strong complexation of AO and -NH₂ with [UO₂(CO₃)₃]^4-. These conclusions showed that Ti₃C₂-AO-PA not only had an ideal application prospect for uranium extraction from seawater, but also provided an available strategy for rapid and selective uranium adsorption from real seawater.

Occurrence characteristics of uranium mineral-related substances in various environmental media in China: A critical review

The high demand and extensive exploitation of uranium resources resulted in the ubiquity and high detection levels of uranium mineral-related substances in various environment media in China. The potential adverse effects of uranium mineral-related substances on environment and human health have received extensive attention. Therefore, we reviewed the occurrence and spatial distribution of uranium mineral-related substances in various basins and environmental media in China to obtain an overall understanding. We collected information from over 70 papers reporting the occurrence and distribution of uranium mineral-related substances in multiple environments and 183 articles on the genesis of uranium deposits in China from 2001 to 2021. Then the occurrence of uranium mineral-related substances and corresponding correlation in different basins, environmental media and depth ranges were compared in detail. And this review assessed the uranium mineral-related pollution in China based on various environmental quality standards of China, EPA and WHO, and proposed the priority uranium mineral-related heavy metals and radioactive substances based on cluster analysis. This review showed that there were obvious differences in the occurrence characteristics of various uranium mineral-related substances in different environmental media, especially in the surrounding environment of sandstone type and hard rock type uranium deposits. These results will guide us to tackle the challenge of uranium mineral-related pollution in China. The correlation analysis of uranium mineral-related pollutants in different environmental media and the identification of priority pollutants will also provide instructions for us to control uranium mineral-related pollution. Finally, we put forward a series of urgent and practical suggestions on risk management and control of uranium mining according to the current situation of uranium mining environment in China, which is of guiding significance for the realization of "green uranium mining".

Efficient Retention and Alpha Spectroscopy of Actinides from Aqueous Solutions Using a Combination of Water-Soluble Star-like Polymers and Ultrafiltration Membranes

We explored two approaches to recover uranium and plutonium from aqueous solutions at pH 4 and pH 7 using water-soluble star-like polyacrylamide polymers with a dextran core. In the first approach, a solution comprising a neutral or ionomer polymer was mixed with a radionuclide solution to form polymer–metal complexes that were then retained by ultrafiltration (UF) membranes under applied pressure. The same polymers were first deposited on the membrane in the second approach using pressure-driven flow. The applied polymers had an overall diameter of gyration of 120 nm, which exceeded the nominal diameter of the UF membrane pores. The polymers showed a high affinity to uranyl but could also be used to extract Pu from neutral or near-neutral pH solutions. Direct-flow single-step filtration and alpha spectrometry demonstrated that the UF membranes containing star-like copolymers could recover 99% of U and up to 60% of Pu from deionized water after filtering 15 mL solutions containing 25 ppm and 33 ppb of the actinides, correspondingly. The sorption capacity of the polymers for uranium could be measured as 1mg U per mg of the polymer after six subsequent filtration steps. Alpha spectroscopy of the deposited actinides revealed peculiarities of the structural organization of polymers and their complexes with U or Pu, depending on the approach. Though both approaches were efficient, the second approach (deposition of the polymer on the membrane followed by filtration) has an additional advantage of protecting the membrane pores from capillary collapse by filling them with the polymer chains. Therefore, these polymer-modified membranes could be used either in continuous or multi-step filtration process with drying after each step without deterioration of their sorption characteristics.

Multi-scale computer-aided design and photo-controlled macromolecular synthesis boosting uranium harvesting from seawater

By integrating multi-scale computational simulation with photo-regulated macromolecular synthesis, this study presents a new paradigm for smart design while customizing polymeric adsorbents for uranium harvesting from seawater. A dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) approach, combined with a molecular dynamics (MD) study, is performed to simulate the conformational dynamics and adsorption process of a model uranium grabber, i.e., PAO_m-b-PPEGMA_n, suggesting that the maximum adsorption capacity with atomic economy can be achieved with a preferred block ratio of 0.18. The designed polymers are synthesized using the PET-RAFT polymerization in a microfluidic platform, exhibiting a record high adsorption capacity of uranium (11.4 ± 1.2 mg/g) in real seawater within 28 days. This study offers an integrated perspective to quantitatively assess adsorption phenomena of polymers, bridging metal-ligand interactions at the molecular level with their spatial conformations at the mesoscopic level. The established protocol is generally adaptable for target-oriented development of more advanced polymers for broadened applications.

Developing materials for uranium harvesting from seawater with high adsorption capacity remains challenging. Here, the authors develop a new protocol, by combining multi-scale computational simulations with the PET-RAFT polymerization, for rational design and precise synthesis of block copolymers with optimal architectures and atomic economy, achieving a capacity of 11.4 mg/g within 28 days.

Two Ligands of Interest in Recovering Uranium from the Oceans: The Correct Formation Constants of the Uranyl(VI) Cation with 2,2'-Bipyridyl-6,6'-dicarboxylic Acid and 1,10-Phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxylic Acid

The ligands BDA (2,2'-bipyridyl-6,6'-dicarboxylic acid) and PDA (1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxylic acid) are of interest as functional group types for ion-exchange materials for extracting uranium from the oceans, reported in a previous paper for PDA Lashley, M. A. ( Inorg. Chem. 2016 55 10818 10829). Yang, Y. ( Inorg. Chem. 2019, 58, 6064 6074) have published what they claim to be a more accurate result for the formation of the UO₂²⁺/PDA complex of log K₁ = 22.84 compared with our reported value of log K₁ = 16.5, as well as log K₁ = 21.52 for the BDA complex. The determination of log K₁ for the PDA and BDA complexes with the UO₂²⁺ cation was carried out by Yang et al. using a competition reaction between DTPA (diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid) and BDA or PDA, monitoring the absorbance due to the BDA and PDA ligands. This competition method using absorbance versus pH titrations was developed for determining the formation constants of the complexes of several polypyridyl ligands plus PDA complexes of metal ions, which were too stable for log K determination by competition with protons. A key feature of such titrations is that in the competition reaction, the displacement of the pyridyl donor ligand (e.g., PDA) by the competing ligand (e.g., DTPA), the absorbance spectrum of the displaced pyridyl donor ligand should be observed. Competing ligands used to date have been EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid), DTPA, or the hydroxide ion. In the study of Yang et al., no such displaced PDA or BDA was apparent in the absorbance spectra in their titrations so that their reported log K₁ values have no validity. Their log K₁ values are so much higher than log K₁ for the uranyl DTPA complex (∼13.6) that DTPA could not possibly displace BDA or PDA from the uranyl cation, and a competition reaction could not possibly occur. We report the correct value of log K₁ = 15.4 (ionic strength = zero) for the uranyl BDA complex, to illustrate the correct determination of such a constant by a competition reaction between BDA and hydroxide, showing how the characteristic absorbance spectrum for a BDA complex, here the UO₂²⁺ complex, disappears, and the distinctive absorbance spectrum of the free nonprotonated BDA ligand appears as the pH is increased, and BDA is displaced by the hydroxide ion.

Metal-Organic-Framework Based Functional Materials for Uranium Recovery: Performance Optimization and Structure/Functionality-Activity Relationships

Uranium recovery has profound significance in both uranium resource acquisition and pollution treatment. In recent years, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted much attention as potential uranium adsorbents owing to their tunable structural topology and designable functionalities. This review explores the research progress in representative classic MOFs (MIL-101, UiO-66, ZIF-8/ZIF-67) and other advanced MOF-based materials for efficient uranium extraction in aqueous or seawater environments. The uranium uptake mechanism of the MOF-based materials is refined, and the structure/functionality-property relationship is further systematically elucidated. By summarizing the typical functionalization and structure design methods, the performance improvement strategies for MOF-based adsorbents are emphasized. Finally, the present challenges and potential opportunities are proposed for the breakthrough of high-performance MOF-based materials in uranium extraction.

Polyguanidine-modified adsorbent to enhance marine applicability for uranium recovery from seawater

The marine applicability of adsorbents intended for recovering uranium from seawater is crucial. For such applicability, the materials must exhibit anti-biofouling properties, seawater pH adaptability (pH~8), and salt tolerance. Extracting uranium from seawater is a long-term project; hence, biofouling, high salt concentrations, and weak alkaline environments negatively affect the adsorption of uranium and damage the recovered materials. Most studies on the extraction of uranium from seawater focus on increasing the adsorption capacity of the employed adsorbent, while its marine applicability is neglected. In the present study, three types of guanidine polymer (GP)-modified acrylic fibers were prepared to investigate the impact of the introduced structure on the marine applicability of the fibers. After screening, the introduction of polyhexamethylene biguanidine (PHMB) is observed to produce PAO-PHMB-A, characterized by excellent marine applicability. The enhanced properties include high antimicrobial activity (10⁹ CFU/mL, 99.71%), good salt tolerance, and optimal adsorption at a pH of 8. Owing to the synergistic effect of its functional groups, the PAO-PHMB-A material exhibits excellent adsorption performance (525.89 mg/g), as well as high selectivity and durability. More importantly, long-term marine tests revealed that PAO-PHMB-A shows a remarkable uranium adsorption capacity (30 d, 3.19 mg/g) and excellent antibacterial activity. Considering its excellent marine applicability and good adsorption performance, the PAO-PHMB-A material developed in this work could serve as a potential adsorbent for engineering applications associated with uranium recovery from seawater.

Spatial Engineering Direct Cooperativity between Binding Sites for Uranium Sequestration

Preorganization is a basic design principle used by nature that allows for synergistic pathways to be expressed. Herein, a full account of the conceptual and experimental development from randomly distributed functionalities to a convergent arrangement that facilitates cooperative binding is given, thus conferring exceptional affinity toward the analyte of interest. The resulting material with chelating groups populated adjacently in a spatially locked manner displays up to two orders of magnitude improvement compared to a random and isolated manner using uranium sequestration as a model application. This adsorbent shows exceptional extraction efficiencies, capable of reducing the uranium concentration from 5 ppm to less than 1 ppb within 10 min, even though the system is permeated with high concentrations of competing ions. The efficiency is further supported by its ability to extract uranium from seawater with an uptake capability of 5.01 mg g-1, placing it among the highest-capacity seawater uranium extraction materials described to date. The concept presented here uncovers a new paradigm in the design of efficient sorbent materials by manipulating the spatial distribution to amplify the cooperation of functions.

Preparation and uranium (VI) biosorption for tri-amidoxime modified marine fungus material

The preparation, characterization, and uranium (VI) adsorption properties of tri-amidoxime modified marine fungus material (ZZF51-GPTS-EDA-AM/ZGEA) were investigated in this study. ZGEA was synthesized by four steps of condensation, nucleophilic substitution, electrophilic addition, and nitrile amidoxime and characterized by a series of methods containing FT-IR, TGA, SEM, and BET. Contrasted with uranium (VI) adsorption capacity of original fungus mycelium (15.46 mg g^-1) that of the functional material (584.60 mg g^-1) was great under the optimal factors such as uranium (VI) ion concentration 40 mg L^-1, solid-liquid ratio 50 mg L^-1, pH of solution 5.5, and reaction time 120 min. The above data were obtained by the orthogonal method. The cyclic tests showed that ZGEA had good regeneration performance, and it could be recycled at least five adsorption-desorption processes. The thermodynamic experimental adsorption result fitted Langmuir and Freundlich models, which explored monolayer and double layers of uranium (VI) adsorption mechanism, and the kinetic adsorption results were in better consistent with the pseudo-second-order and pseudo-first-order dynamic models (R² > 0.999).

Constructing amidoxime-modified porous adsorbents with open architecture for cost-effective and efficient uranium extraction

The dense structure of polymeric matrices exposes only 10–20% of adsorption (amidoxime) groups, thus detracting from the extraction efficiency of uranium from seawater. Herein, the amidoxime-modified building units were cross-linked via the Scholl reaction into porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs). Due to the formation of open architecture, PAF adsorbents reveal a larger utilization ratio (>60%) of amidoxime groups. Consequently, PAF samples enable an ultrahigh uranium capacity of 702 mg g⁻¹, which creates a 16-fold capacity enhancement and gains a 7-fold adsorption rate improvement compared with polymer-based adsorbents. Notably, PAF solids are able to be integrated into various devices, thus realizing versatile and efficacious uranium extraction from real seawater (meeting the commercial standard ∼6 mg g⁻¹ in 21 days). In addition, the final cost using our PAF-based adsorbent is US $189.77 per kg uranium, it is in accordance with the prevailing market cost ($100–335 per kg).

The dense structure of polymeric matrices exposes only 10–20% of adsorption (amidoxime) groups, thus detracting from the extraction efficiency of uranium from seawater.

Stability Series for the Complexation of Six Key Siderophore Functional Groups with Uranyl Using Density Functional Theory

Determining stability constants of uranyl complexes with the principal functional groups in siderophores and identifying stability series is of great importance to predict which siderophore classes preferentially bind to U^VI and, hence, impact uranium speciation in the environment. It also helps to develop resins for scavenging U^VI from aqueous solutions. Here, we apply a recently developed computational approach to calculate log β values for a set of geochemically relevant uranium organometallic complexes using Density Functional Theory (DFT). We determined the stability series for catecholate, hydroxamate, α-hydroxycarboxylate, α-aminocarboxylate, hydroxy-phenyloxazolonate, and α-hydroxyimidazole with the uranyl cation. In this work, the stability constants (log β₁₁₀) of α-hydroxyimidazolate and hydroxy-phenyloxazolonate are calculated for the first time. Our approach employed the B3LYP density functional approximation, aug-cc-pVDZ basis set for ligand atoms, MDF60 ECP for U^VI, and the IEFPCM solvation model. DFT calculated log β₁₁₀ were corrected using a previously established fitting equation. We find that the siderophore functional groups stability decreases in the order: α-hydroxycarboxylate bound via the α-hydroxy and carboxylate groups (log β₁₁₀ = 17.08), α-hydroxyimidazolate (log β₁₁₀ = 16.55), catecholate (log β₁₁₀ = 16.43), hydroxamate (log β₁₁₀ = 9.00), hydroxy-phenyloxazolonate (log β₁₁₀ = 8.43), α-hydroxycarboxylate bound via the carboxylate group (log β₁₁₀ = 7.51) and α-aminocarboxylate (log β₁₁₀ = 4.73). We confirm that the stability for the binding mode of the functional groups decrease in the order: bidentate, monodentate via ligand O atoms, and monodentate via ligand N atoms. The stability series strongly suggests that α-hydroxyimidazolate is an important functional group that needs to be included when assessing uranyl mobility and removal from aqueous solutions.

TiO2 microsphere impregnated alginate: a novel hybrid sorbent for uranium removal from aquatic bodies

This study presents a simple method of synthesizing TiO₂ microspheres and their impregnation into an alginate matrix.

Predicting Stability Constants for Terbium(III) Complexes with Dipicolinic Acid and 4-Substituted Dipicolinic Acid Analogues using Density Functional Theory

The relative stability constants of Tb(III) complexes exhibiting binding to a series of 4-substituted analogues of dipicolinic acid (2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid) (DPA) were calculated using density functional theory (DFT) with the standard thermodynamic cycle. DFT calculations showed that the strengths of the stability constants were modified by the substituents in the following (decreasing) order: -NH₂ > -OH ∼ -CH₂OH > -imidazole ∼ -Cl ∼ -Br ∼ -H > -F > -I, with the differences among them falling within one to two log units except for -NH₂. Through population and structural analysis, we observed that the -NH₂, -OH, -CH₂OH, and halide substituents can donate electrons via resonance effect to the pyridine ring of DPA while inductively withdrawing electrons with different strengths, thus resulting in the different binding strengths of the 4-substituted DPAs to the Tb(III) ions. We believe that these observations possess utility not only in the ongoing development of luminescent probes for bioanalytical studies but also for more recent cross-industrial efforts to enhance reservoir surveillance capabilities using chemical tracers within the oil and gas sector.

One-pot synthesis of multi-functional and environmental friendly tannic acid polymer with Fe3+ and formaldehyde as double crosslinking agents for selective removal of cation pollutants

A novel multi-functional and environmental friendly tannic acid polymer (Fe³⁺-TA-HCHO) with Fe³⁺ and formaldehyde as double crosslinking agents together with cysteine as heteroatom source was prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal method. Characterization with transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), and elemental analysis demonstrated that the Fe³⁺-TA-HCHO possessed uniform structure and particle size as well as plentiful functional groups. The resulted Fe³⁺-TA-HCHO material as a adsorbent to remove methylene blue, sunset yellow, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, and AsO₃^3- from water. The results suggested that Fe³⁺-TA-HCHO polymer (pHpzc is 2.33) showed different adsorption properties for anionic pollutants (sunset yellow and AsO₃^3-) and cationic pollutants (methylene blue, Pb²⁺, and Hg²⁺). The material exhibited remarkable selectivity for adsorption and separation of pollutants. The maximum adsorption capacities calculated from Langmuir model for methylene blue, Pb²⁺, and Hg²⁺ were 154.32, 819.67, and 699.30 mg g^-1, respectively. This is the first time that tannic acid polymer is synthesized by double crosslinking method, which not only developed a promising adsorbent for selective removal of cation pollutants, but also opened up a new avenue for synthesis and application of tannic acid polymer.

Design Strategies to Enhance Amidoxime Chelators for Uranium Recovery

To move nuclear as a primary energy source, uranium resources must be secured beyond what terrestrial reserves can provide. Given the vast quantity of uranium naturally found in the ocean, adsorbent materials have been investigated to recover this vital fuel source. Amidoxime (AO) has been found to be the state-of-the-art functional group for this purpose, however, improvements must still be made to overcome the issues with selectively capturing uranium at such a low concentration found in the ocean. Herein, we report PAF-1 as a platform to study the effects of two amidoxime ligands. The synthesized adsorbents, PAF-1-CH₂NHAO and PAF-1-NH(CH₂)₂AO, with varying chain lengths and grafting degrees, were investigated for their uranium uptakes and kinetic efficiency. PAF-1-NH(CH₂)₂AO was found to outperform PAF-1-CH₂NHAO, with a maximum uptake capacity of 385 mg/g and able to reduce a uranium-spiked solution to ppb level within 10 min. Further studies with PAF-1-NH(CH₂)₂AO demonstrated effective elution for multiple adsorption cycles and showed promising results for uranium recovery in the diverse composition of a spiked seawater solution. The work presented here moves forward design principles for amidoxime-functionalized ligands and provides scope for strategies to enhance the capture of uranium as a sustainable nuclear fuel source.

Nano-sized architectural design of multi-activity graphene oxide (GO) by chemical post-decoration for efficient uranium(VI) extraction

The introduction of organic groups onto graphene oxide (GO) platelets can supply additional active sites for adsorption of uranium(VI) (U(VI)) to improve the adsorption capacity. However, as a result of the existence of stabilizing π-conjugation system, a facile and effective modification method remains a challenge. Therefore, a novel strategy is exploited by nano-sized architectural design of multi-activity GO through post-decoration with amidoxime functionalized diaminomaleonitrile (DM-AO). The post-modification of DM-AO successfully activated the inert sites in GO platelets. Meanwhile, the amidoxime group in DM-AO can improve the adsorption selectivity. Adsorption amount of U(VI) on the as prepared GO-DM-AO reached at 935 mg g^-1, which is increased by 209% increment compared with that of pristine GO at the same concentration. The adsorption efficiency of GO-DM-AO is greatly improved, and the time to reach the adsorption equilibrium is half of that of GO. Excitingly, the excellent removal efficiency could still maintained even after 5 cycles of adsorption-desorption. The outstanding adsorption amount, short adsorption equilibrium time, and excellent removal efficiency can provide a theoretical guidance for further immobilization of U(VI) from seawater.

Siderophore-inspired chelator hijacks uranium from aqueous medium

Over millennia, nature has evolved an ability to selectively recognize and sequester specific metal ions by employing a wide variety of supramolecular chelators. Iron-specific molecular carriers—siderophores—are noteworthy for their structural elegance, while exhibiting some of the strongest and most selective binding towards a specific metal ion. Development of simple uranyl (UO₂²⁺) recognition motifs possessing siderophore-like selectivity, however, presents a challenge. Herein we report a comprehensive theoretical, crystallographic and spectroscopic studies on the UO₂²⁺ binding with a non-toxic siderophore-inspired chelator, 2,6-bis[hydroxy(methyl)amino]-4-morpholino-1,3,5-triazine (H₂BHT). The optimal pK_a values and structural preorganization endow H₂BHT with one of the highest uranyl binding affinity and selectivity among molecular chelators. The results of small-molecule standards are validated by a proof-of-principle development of the H₂BHT-functionalized polymeric adsorbent material that affords high uranium uptake capacity even in the presence of competing vanadium (V) ions in aqueous medium.

Development of simple uranyl recognition motifs possessing siderophore-like binding strength and selectivity presents a challenge. Here the authors show a comprehensive theoretical and experimental study on uranyl binding with a polymeric adsorbent material decorated with a non-toxic siderophore inspired small molecule chelator.

Computational Tools for Calculating log β Values of Geochemically Relevant Uranium Organometallic Complexes

Uranium (U^VI) interacts with organic ligands, subsequently controlling its aqueous chemistry. It is therefore imperative to assess the binding ability of natural organic molecules. We evidence that density functional theory (DFT) can be used as a practical protocol for predicting the stability of U^VI organic ligand complexes, allowing for the development of a relative stability series for organic complexes with limited experimental data. Solvation methods and DFT settings were benchmarked to suggest a suitable off-the-shelf solution. The results indicate that the IEFPCM solvation method should be employed. A mixed solvation approach improves the accuracy of the calculated stability constant (log β); however, the calculated log β are approximately five times more favorable than experimental data. Different basis sets, functionals, and effective core potentials were tested to check that there were no major changes in molecular geometries and Δ_r G. The recommended method employed is the B3LYP functional, aug-cc-pVDZ basis set for ligands, MDF60 ECP and basis set for U^VI, and the IEFPCM solvation model. Using the fitting approach employed in the literature with these updated DFT settings allows fitting of 1:1 U^VI complexes with root-mean-square deviation of 1.38 log β units. Fitting multiple bound carboxylate ligands indicates a second, separate fitting for 1:2 and 1:3 complexes.

Synthesis of Microporous Covalent Phosphazene-Based Frameworks for Selective Separation of Uranium in Highly Acidic Media Based on Size-Matching Effect

On the basis of high stability of phosphorus-oxygen linkage, we constructed two microporous covalent phosphazene-based frameworks (CPFs), for the first time, by choosing hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene as a core unit and polyhydroxy aromatic compounds (hydroquinone or phloroglucinol) as monomers, named CPF-D and CPF-T, respectively. Characterization studies by using Fourier transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, thermal gravimetric analysis, ⁶⁰Co γ-ray irradiation, and so forth, demonstrated that both of the CPF materials have excellent acid and radiation stability and relatively higher thermal stability. The results of batch adsorption experiments show that CPF-T is significantly more capable of sorbing uranium than CPF-D. In a pure uranium system with higher acidity (pH 1), the uranium sorption amount of CPF-T can reach up to 140 mg g^-1. Distinctively, in mixed-metal solution with 12 coexisting cations, CPF-T shows relatively stable and excellent uranium adsorption capability over a wide range of acidity (pH 4 to 3 M HNO₃), and the difference in uranium sorption amounts is less than 30% with the maximum of 0.26 mmol g^-1 at pH 4 and the minimum of 0.20 mmol g^-1 at 3 M HNO₃, which is far superior to that of the conventional solid-phase extractant (SPE) materials previously reported. The research results suggested that the sorption model based on the speculated mechanism of size-matching plus hydrogen bond network has played a dominant role in the process of uranium adsorption. The proposed strategy for the one-pot fabrication of an acid-resistant microporous framework materials by bridging the aromatic monomers via P-O bonds provides an alternative approach for the design and synthesis of new SPE materials with size-matching function desired for effective separation of uranium or other valuable metals from highly acidic environments.