One-pot synthesis of N-doped porous carbon supported zero-valent iron nanomaterials for efficient removal of U(VI)

The rapid development of the nuclear industry has caused the accidental leakage of radioactive heavy metals, such as uranium, resulting in severe contamination of land and water sources. This paper proposes an effective and feasible program to treat uranium-contaminated wastewater. Nitrogen-doped porous carbon supported nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) composites (Fe⁰@N-PCM-H₂O₂) were synthesized via a combination of in situ pyrolysis and a mild H₂O₂ post-treatment by using hyper-crosslinked porous polymer as precursor. The obtained Fe⁰@N-PCM-H₂O₂ exhibited exceptional adsorption capability for uranyl ions (847.5 mg·g⁻¹) with minimal iron leaching in aqueous solutions. Especially, H₂O₂ post-treatment can dramatically improve the adsorption capacity and recoverable properties of the adsorbent. The successful design of this material provides a simple, efficient and environmentally friendly solution for the removal of uranium contamination, which has significant potential for future industrialization.