Biomimetic Helical Hydrogen Bonded Organic Framework Membranes for Efficient Uranium Recovery from Seawater

Inspired by the uranyl-imidazole interactions via nitrogen's (N's) of histidine residues in single helical protein assemblies with open framework geometry that allows through migration/coordination of metal ions. Here, preliminary components of a stable hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF) are designed to mimic the stable single helical open framework with imidazole residues available for Uranium (U) binding. The imidazolate-HOF (CSMCRIHOF2-S) is synthesized with solvent-directed H-bonding in 1D array and tuned hydrophobic CH–π interactions leading to single helix pattern having enhanced hydrolytic stability. De-solvation led CSMCRIHOF2-P with porous helical 1D channels are transformed in a freestanding thin film that showcased improved mass transfer and adsorption of uranyl carbonate. CSMCRIHOF2-P thin film can effectively extract ≈14.8 mg g−1 in 4 weeks period from natural seawater, with > 1.7 U/V (Uranium to Vanadium ratio) selectivity. This strategy can be extended for rational designing of hydrolytically stable, U selective HOFs to realize the massive potential of the blue economy toward sustainable energy.