Efficient Cs+–Sr2+ separation, highly
desirable for radionuclide recovery in medical and industrial applications,
was achieved by the ion exchange technique over a novel microporous
silver selenidostannate, [NH3CH3]0.5[NH2(CH3)2]0.25Ag1.25SnSe3 (AgSnSe-1). This material
was synthesized in deep eutectic solvent (DES), where the alkylammonium
cations play significant structure-directing roles in the construction
of micropores that allow for selective ion exchange toward Cs+ against Sr2+. The much greater K
d
Cs (1.06 × 104 mL g–1) over K
d
Sr (87.7 mL g–1) contributes to an outstanding separation factor SF
Cs/Sr of ∼121.4 that is top-ranked among
inorganic materials. An ion exchange column filled with AgSnSe-1 exhibits a remarkable separation effect for 10 000 bed volumes
of continuous flow, with removal rates of ∼99.9% and ∼0
± 5.5% for Cs+ and Sr2+, respectively. AgSnSe-1 exhibits excellent β and γ radiation
resistances and a chemical stability over a broad pH range of 1–12.
The Se leaching level below the safe guideline value for drinking
water highlights the environmental-friendly nature of AgSnSe-1. The high Cs+ exchange performance is almost unaffected
by Na+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ cations. The
Cs+-laden product AgSnSe-1Cs can be facilely
eluted for recycling use, highlighting the great potential of open
framework metal selenides in nuclear waste treatment and renewable
energy utilization.