A synergistic coordination-reduction interface for electrochemical reductive extraction of uranium with low impurities from seawater.

Guo, Hongliang; Hu, Enmin; Wang, Yihao; Ou, Zhenhong; Huang, Bichu; Lei, Jia; Liu, Huanhuan; He, Rong et al. · Nat Commun · 2025

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Electrochemical extraction of uranium from seawater is a promising strategy for the sustainable supply of nuclear fuel, whereas the current progress suffers from the co-deposition of impurities. Herein, we construct a synergistic coordination-reduction interface in CMOS@NSF, achieving electrochemical extraction of black UO<sub>2</sub> product from seawater. The internal sulfur of CoMoOS tailors the electron distribution, resulting in the electron accumulation of terminal O sites for strong uranyl binding. Meanwhile, the interfacial connection of CoMoOS with Ni<sub>3</sub>S<sub>2</sub> accelerates the electron transfer and promoted the reductive properties. Such synergistic coordination-reduction interface ensures the formation and preservation of tetravalent uranium, preventing the co-deposition of alkalis in crystalline transformation. From natural seawater, CMOS@NSF exhibits an electrochemical extraction capacity of 2.65 mg g<sup>-1</sup> d<sup>-1</sup> with black UO<sub>2</sub> solid products as final products. This work provides an efficient strategy for the electrochemical uranium extraction from seawater with low impurities.