Despite the extremely favorable properties of metal–organic
frameworks (MOFs) for multifunctional applications, the challenge
to synthesize MOFs with high chemical, radiation, and mechanical stability
still remains a major challenge. To circumvent this issue, we have
developed a chemically, thermally, and radiation-stable silicon-shielded
amidoxime-based nanocrystalline MOF, Si/UiO-66-AO, using UiO-66-NH2 and employed for the removal of U(VI) from both acidic and
aqueous media (pH). The developed Si/UiO-66-AO MOF demonstrated a
very facile, rapid, and efficient recovery of U(VI). The MOF exhibited
an excellent sorption capacity from both aqueous (∼217 mg/g)
and acidic media (∼65 mg/g) with a sorption efficiency of ∼70–75%
(acidic and aqueous media), and capacities were fairly higher than
that for other reported sorption materials. The synthesized MOF showed
very rapid extraction ability (∼5 min) toward U(VI) from both
acidic and aqueous media. Si/UiO-66-AO also showed an elevated extraction
efficiency of 31.6 mg/g from simulated seawater, suggesting its significant
potential for the extraction of U(VI) from seawater. The bonding between
U(VI) and Si/UiO-66-AO was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
(XPS) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis.
Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to understand
the nature of bonding of the functional moiety (amidoxime group) of
the MOF with U(VI). Such high adsorption efficiency and efficient
recovery of U(VI) by Si/UiO-66-AO is facilitated by complex formation
through monodentate coordination of the oxime nitrogen atom of the
amidoxime group with U(VI); hydrogen bonding plays an important role
in stabilizing the same. Si/UiO-66-AO also exhibited green fluorescence
with a quantum yield of ∼6%, highlighting its multifunctional
potential. The present study provides a successful path for the development
of acid-stable MOFs for fulfilling the needs of commercial applications
for U(VI) recovery, especially in the plant-scale applications of
nuclear field, seawater, as well as from environmental samples.