In situ molecular weaving of ionic polymers into metal-organic frameworks for radioactive anion capture

Abstract Encapsulation of polymer chains into nanochannels of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to construct polymer-MOF hybrid materials can retain the desired properties of two disparate materials. However, the facile fabrication of such hybrids remains challenging, given the difficulty in unravelin...

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Main Authors: Xinghao Li, Xiang Lin, Zhenzhen Feng, Feng Chen, Qihang Huang, Linlin Zheng, Hongwei Wu, Jiayin Yuan, Yaozu Liao, Weiyi Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62246-3
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author Xinghao Li
Xiang Lin
Zhenzhen Feng
Feng Chen
Qihang Huang
Linlin Zheng
Hongwei Wu
Jiayin Yuan
Yaozu Liao
Weiyi Zhang
author_facet Xinghao Li
Xiang Lin
Zhenzhen Feng
Feng Chen
Qihang Huang
Linlin Zheng
Hongwei Wu
Jiayin Yuan
Yaozu Liao
Weiyi Zhang
author_sort Xinghao Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Encapsulation of polymer chains into nanochannels of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to construct polymer-MOF hybrid materials can retain the desired properties of two disparate materials. However, the facile fabrication of such hybrids remains challenging, given the difficulty in unraveling entanglement of polymer chains and constraining them into ordered conformations. Herein, we introduce an in situ molecular weaving strategy to construct ionic polymer-MOF hybrid materials, employing shear forces and coordination interactions to untangle cationic polymer chains and guide their realignment within MOF nanochannels during framework formation. Notably, this realignment promotes uniform polymer distribution and exposes more anion-exchange sites. The resulting hybrids capture ReO4 ¯ (a nonradioactive surrogate of 99TcO4 ¯) with a capacity of 438 mg g-1 and reach adsorption equilibrium within 20 min. Characterization and theoretical calculations reveal that the hydrophobic pores in the hybrid materials confer strong affinity toward less hydrated 99TcO4 ¯ anions, thereby enhancing their selectivity over competing anions.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2041-1723
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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series Nature Communications
spelling doaj-art-32db4a3f13f1492eb436f084f5e47ddf2025-08-20T03:46:17ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-08-0116111110.1038/s41467-025-62246-3In situ molecular weaving of ionic polymers into metal-organic frameworks for radioactive anion captureXinghao Li0Xiang Lin1Zhenzhen Feng2Feng Chen3Qihang Huang4Linlin Zheng5Hongwei Wu6Jiayin Yuan7Yaozu Liao8Weiyi Zhang9State Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua UniversityState Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua UniversityState Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua UniversityState Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua UniversityState Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua UniversityState Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua UniversityCollege of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua UniversityMaterials Chemistry Division, Department of Chemistry, Stockholm UniversityState Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua UniversityState Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua UniversityAbstract Encapsulation of polymer chains into nanochannels of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to construct polymer-MOF hybrid materials can retain the desired properties of two disparate materials. However, the facile fabrication of such hybrids remains challenging, given the difficulty in unraveling entanglement of polymer chains and constraining them into ordered conformations. Herein, we introduce an in situ molecular weaving strategy to construct ionic polymer-MOF hybrid materials, employing shear forces and coordination interactions to untangle cationic polymer chains and guide their realignment within MOF nanochannels during framework formation. Notably, this realignment promotes uniform polymer distribution and exposes more anion-exchange sites. The resulting hybrids capture ReO4 ¯ (a nonradioactive surrogate of 99TcO4 ¯) with a capacity of 438 mg g-1 and reach adsorption equilibrium within 20 min. Characterization and theoretical calculations reveal that the hydrophobic pores in the hybrid materials confer strong affinity toward less hydrated 99TcO4 ¯ anions, thereby enhancing their selectivity over competing anions.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62246-3
spellingShingle Xinghao Li
Xiang Lin
Zhenzhen Feng
Feng Chen
Qihang Huang
Linlin Zheng
Hongwei Wu
Jiayin Yuan
Yaozu Liao
Weiyi Zhang
In situ molecular weaving of ionic polymers into metal-organic frameworks for radioactive anion capture
Nature Communications
title In situ molecular weaving of ionic polymers into metal-organic frameworks for radioactive anion capture
title_full In situ molecular weaving of ionic polymers into metal-organic frameworks for radioactive anion capture
title_fullStr In situ molecular weaving of ionic polymers into metal-organic frameworks for radioactive anion capture
title_full_unstemmed In situ molecular weaving of ionic polymers into metal-organic frameworks for radioactive anion capture
title_short In situ molecular weaving of ionic polymers into metal-organic frameworks for radioactive anion capture
title_sort in situ molecular weaving of ionic polymers into metal organic frameworks for radioactive anion capture
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62246-3
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