Efficient uranium adsorbent with antimicrobial function constructed by grafting amidoxime groups on ZIF-90 via malononitrile intermediate

Herein, a dual-function Zeolitic Imidazole Frameworks (ZIFs) ZIF-90 grafted with malononitrile by Knoevenagel reaction and following with an amidoximation reaction to form an efficient U (VI) adsorbent (ZIF-90-AO). The strong chelation power of amidoxime groups (AO) with uranium and ZIF-90's mesoporous structure afforded ZIF-90-AO high maximum uranium adsorption capacity of 468.3 mg/g (pH = 5). In addition, the factors affecting uranium adsorption process were investigated by a batch of adsorption tests under different adsorption conditions. ZIF-90-AO displayed good selectivity to UO22+ in the solution containing multiple co-existing ions and good regeneration property. More importantly, ZIF-90-AO showed excellent antimicrobial property against both E. coli and S. aureus. Therefore, ZIF-90-AO is a U-adsorbent with great application value for removing U (VI) from wastewater due to the high U (VI) adsorption capacity in weak acid condition and good anti-biofouling properties.