Precise Electrocatalysis on Fe-Porphyrin Conjugated Networks Achieves Energy-Efficient Extraction of Uranium.

Electrochemical extraction has the potential to enhance uranium (U) extraction capacity and rates, but thus far, high selectivity and energy efficiency have not been achieved through the design of electrode materials. Herein, a precise electrocatalysis strategy is developed using a Ferrum (Fe) porphyrin-phenanthroline conjugated network (Fe@PDACN) for energy-efficient uranium extraction. The phenanthroline provides specific binding sites for selective enrichment of U(VI) at active sites (K = 2.

Dual-Enhancement Electrochemiluminescence Device for Ultratrace Uranium Visualized Monitoring in Fish, Hair, and Nail Samples.

Uranium is a nuclear fuel but also a hazardous contaminant due to its radioactivity and chemical toxicity. To prevent and mitigate its potential threat, the accurate monitoring of ultratrace uranium (orders of magnitude of pg g) in practical environmental samples has become an important scientific problem. To meet this challenge, we developed an efficient electrochemiluminescence (ECL) UO detection device by a novel dual-enhancement mechanism.

Biogenic crocetin-crosslinked chitosan nanoparticles with high stability and drug loading for efficient radioprotection.

The risk of radiation exposure increases with the development of nuclear energy and technology, and radiation protection receives more and more attention from public health and safety. However, the numerous adverse effects and low drug utilization limit the practical applications of radioprotective agents. In this study, we developed a biogenic crocetin-crosslinked chitosan nanoparticle with high stability and drug loading for efficient radioprotection.

One-pot synthesis of ultra-stable polyvinylpyrrolidone-modified MnO nanoparticles for efficient radiation protection.

Radiobiological damage can be caused by radiation, and easy preparation of long-term stable radioprotectors is helpful for timely and efficient response to radiation emergencies. This study develops an ultra-stable radioprotector for rapid nuclear emergency with a simple preparing method. First of all, polyvinylpyrrolidone-modified MnO nanoparticles (PVP-MnO NPs) are obtained by one-pot synthesis with ultra-stability (remaining for at least three years) and multiple free radical scavenging activities.

Polyphosphonate-segmented macroporous organosilicon frameworks for efficient dynamic enrichment of uranium with in-situ regeneration.

Efficient separation and enrichment of uranium from radioactive effluents is of strategic significance for sustainable development of nuclear energy and environmental protection. Macropore structure of adsorbent is conducive to accessibility of the pore and transport of the adsorbate during dynamic adsorption. However, the low specific surface area results in fewer ligand sites and subsequently reduces the adsorption capacity.

Thermal-Responsive Conjugated Micropore Polymers for Smart Capture of Volatile Iodine.

The capture of radioiodine is crucial for nuclear security and environmental protection due to its volatility and superior environmental fluidity. Herein, we propose a strategy of "temperature-dependent gate" based on a swellable conjugated microporous polymer (SCMP) to significantly improve the capture of volatile iodine. The SCMP is constructed the Buchwald-Hartwig coupling reaction of building monomers containing amines.

Array electrochemiluminescence device with ultra-high sensitivity and selectivity for rapid visualized monitoring of trace radon in environment.

The World Health Organization has reported radioactive Rn gas as the second leading cause of lung cancer and gives an extreme limit to indoor Radon (Rn) concentration as 100 Bq/m. To realize rapid and accurate Rn monitoring, we report an efficient visualized electrochemiluminescence (ECL) device for Rn detection with the lowest limit of detection (0.9 Bq/m/3.

Visualized electrochemiluminescence iodine sensor based on polymer dots with Co-reactive group for real-time monitoring system.

Trace iodine (I) radioisotopes are commonly regarded as an indicator in nuclear security early warnings. Herein, we develop a visualized I real-time monitoring system using electrochemiluminescence (ECL) imaging technology for the first time. In detail, the polymers based on poly [(9,9-dioctylfluorene-alkenyl-2,7-diyl)-alt-co-(1,4-benzo-{2,1',3}-thiadiazole)] are synthesized for iodine detection.

ROS-sensitive Crocin-loaded chitosan microspheres for lung targeting and attenuation of radiation-induced lung injury.

Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is one of the major complications in patients exposed to accidental radiation and radiotherapy for thoracic malignancies. However, there is no reliable radioprotector for effective clinical treatment of RILI so far. Herein, a novel Crocin-loaded chitosan microsphere is developed for lung targeting and attenuation of RILI.

Reactive oxygen species-responsive nanodrug of natural crocin-i with prolonged circulation for effective radioprotection.

With the progress of nuclear technology including radiotherapy and radiodiagnosis, radiation has been widely used in many fields as a powerful diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the medical area. Unfortunately, acute radiation disease will occur if the human body is accidentally exposed to a large dosage of ionizing radiation. However, clinical radioprotective agents are being challenged by the short half-life and several side effects.

Two-Dimensional Imprinting Strategy to Create Specific Nanotrap for Selective Uranium Adsorption with Ultrahigh Capacity.

Uranium extraction is highly challenging because of low uranium concentration, high salinity, and a large number of competing ions in different environments. The template strategy is developed to address the defect of poor selectivity, but the adsorption capacity is limited by cavity blocking during the preparation of materials. Herein, a two-dimensional (2D) imprinting strategy is adopted to design 2D imprinted networks with specific nanotraps for effective uranium capture.

De Novo Design of a Pt Nanocatalyst on a Conjugated Microporous Polymer-Coated Honeycomb Carrier for Oxidation of Hydrogen Isotopes.

A booming demand for energy highlights the importance of an emergency cleanup system in the nuclear industry or hydrogen-energy sector to reduce the risk of hydrogen explosion and decrease tritium emission. The properties of the catalyst determine the efficiency of hydrogen isotope enrichment and removal in the emergency cleanup system. However, the aggregation behavior of Pt, deactivation effect of water vapor, and isotope effect induce a continuous decrease in the catalytic activity of the Pt catalyst.

Covalent organic frameworks functionalized electrodes for simultaneous removal of UO and ReO with fast kinetics and high capacities by electro-adsorption.

The recovery of radioactive ions from high salinity low-level radioactive wastewater (LLRW) is important for the sustainable utilization of nuclear energy. Previous work primarily focuses on developing adsorbents that remove individual types of ions via physicochemical adsorption. Here, we report a new strategy for the simultaneous recovery of uranium (UO) and rhenium (ReO) as a non-radioactive surrogate of technetium from LLRW via electro-adsorption.

Dual Ion-Imprinted Mesoporous Silica for Selective Adsorption of U(VI) and Cs(I) through Multiple Interactions.

Separation of uranium and cesium from low-level radioactive effluents (LLRE) is of great significance for sustainable development of the nuclear industry and for the environment. However, high salinity and massive coexisting ions of LLRE are giant challenges for the separation. To address the challenges, we report a strategy for efficient and simultaneous separation of uranium and cesium from a high-salt environment by dual ion-imprinted mesoporous silica based on multiple interactions.

Strategy for Highly Efficient Radioprotection by a Selenium-Containing Polymeric Drug with Low Toxicity and Long Circulation.

Because of the rapid development and extensive use of nuclear technology, ionizing radiation has become a large threat to human health. Until now, there has been no practicable radioprotector for routine clinical application because of severe side effects, high toxicity, and short elimination half-life. Herein, we develop a highly efficient radioprotection strategy using a selenium-containing polymeric drug with low toxicity and long circulation by removing reactive oxygen species (ROSs).

Reconfigurable microbots folded from simple colloidal chains.

To overcome the reversible nature of low-Reynolds-number flow, a variety of biomimetic microrobotic propulsion schemes and devices capable of rapid transport have been developed. However, these approaches have been typically optimized for a specific function or environment and do not have the flexibility that many real organisms exhibit to thrive in complex microenvironments. Here, inspired by adaptable microbes and using a combination of experiment and simulation, we demonstrate that one-dimensional colloidal chains can fold into geometrically complex morphologies, including helices, plectonemes, lassos, and coils, and translate via multiple mechanisms that can be varied with applied magnetic field.

Smart Oral Administration of Polydopamine-Coated Nanodrugs for Efficient Attenuation of Radiation-Induced Gastrointestinal Syndrome.

High-dose ionizing radiation can lead to death from the unrecoverable damage of the gastrointestinal tract, especially the small intestine. Until now, the lack of predilection for the small intestine and rapid clearance by digestive fluids limit the effects of conventional radioprotective formulations. Herein, an innovative radioprotective strategy is developed for attenuating gastrointestinal syndrome by smart oral administration nanodrugs.

Positively charged conjugated microporous polymers with antibiofouling activity for ultrafast and highly selective uranium extraction from seawater.

Uranium high-efficiency separation from seawater still has some obstacles such as slow sorption rate, poor selectivity and biofouling. Herein, we report a strategy for ultrafast and highly selective uranium extraction from seawater by positively charged conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs). The polymers are synthesized by Sonogashira-Hagihara cross-coupling reaction of 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin and 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene, and then modified with oxime and carboxyl via click reaction.

Prussian blue analogue functionalized magnetic microgels with ionized chitosan for the cleaning of cesium-contaminated clay.

To deal with regeneration of nuclear-waste-contaminated soil, it is important to develop new materials and techniques for effective removal of radioactive cesium ions from clay. We report herein a synergistic remediation method for cleaning cesium-contaminated clay by Prussian blue analogue-functionalized magnetic microgel along with ionized chitosan. The magnetic microgels were prepared by surface polymerization of 4-vinyl pyridine and styrene on magnetite nanoparticles and attachment of Prussian blue analogues by ligand exchange reaction.

Donor-Acceptor-Type Conjugated Polymer-Based Multicolored Drug Carriers with Tunable Aggregation-Induced Emission Behavior for Self-Illuminating Cancer Therapy.

Nowadays, multicolored drug carriers have exhibited high significance in designing self-illuminating drug delivery systems to adapt different experimental conditions. In this study, we developed an efficient strategy for self-illuminating antitumor therapy using multicolored aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active drug carriers by tuning electron donor moieties in donor-acceptor (D-A) structures. Three amphipathic conjugated polymers, to , were successfully synthesized using an AIE-active tetraphenylethylene (TPE) moiety and donor-acceptor (D-A)-type electronic structure.

Spectrographic sensors for uranyl detection in the environment.

More and more severe energy problem triggers extensive application of nuclear energy, and the adverse effects brought by nuclear materials such as uranyl to the environment are becoming the concern, as it has become a threat to human's health. Therefore, the detection of uranyl is increasingly important, which aims to make the application of uranium under surveillance and protection. A lot of detection methods employing varying materials based on different techniques for uranyl have been proposed including those using expensive and complicated instruments such as ICP-MS, ESI-MS, and neutron activation analysis etc.

Acetylcysteine-decorated Prussian blue nanoparticles for strong photothermal sterilization and focal infection treatment.

The major challenge in bacterial infection in clinical settings is the development of antimicrobial materials in the treatment of drug-resistant bacteria. Herein, we report a new strategy for efficient near-infrared radiation (NIR) photothermal sterilization and focal infection treatment by acetylcysteine-modified Prussian blue nanoparticles (AC-PB). Specifically, AC-PB is fabricated as a multifunctional therapeutic agent via a co-precipitation approach, where PB acts as an effective photothermal agent and AC could prevent the formation of bacteria cluster in biofilms and the bacterial adhesion on tissues to reduce the secretion of mucus and improve the efficacy.

Petroleum pitch-based porous aromatic frameworks with phosphonate ligand for efficient separation of uranium from radioactive effluents.

Porous aromatic frameworks with structural/pore controllability and rigid skeletons present a series of emerging materials for solid phase extraction. However, the complicated monomers or noble metal catalyst, and cumbersome synthetic strategies result in high-cost engineering application of porous aromatic frameworks. Herein, a simple synthetic strategy of porous aromatic frameworks with phosphonate is reported for efficient separation of uranium from radioactive effluents, and petroleum pitch, a low-cost and widely available material, was used as the building block.

Highly selective and sensitive determination of uranyl ion by the probe of CdTe quantum dot with a specific size.

Determination of trace amounts of uranyl ions is of great significance to environment and human health, but challenging. In this paper, we demonstrate a new approach for highly effective determination of uranyl ions by the probe of CdTe quantum dot (QD) with a specific size. The selectivity is relied on the probe of CdTe quantum dots; the selectivity, which was a function of QDs size, was optimum at 6.

A strategy for high radioprotective activity via the assembly of the PprI protein with a ROS-sensitive polymeric carrier.

With the rapid development and wide application of nuclear technology, radiation hazards present an enormous challenge for biological and medical safety. Currently, one of the major challenges in radiation protection is the discovery of more effective and less toxic radioprotectant agents. Herein, we present a strategy for high radioprotective activity via the assembly of the PprI protein with a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive polymeric carrier.