Hyper-Cross-Linked Polymer and the Uranium(VI) Adsorption Performance in Water Bodies

Abstract

In this study, a hyper-cross-linked polymer (HCP-HTP-2) was successfully synthesized by the raw material of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) via Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction, and the uranium(VI) adsorption ability of HCP-HTP-2 was investigated systematically. HCP-HTP-2 exhibited a uranium(VI) adsorption efficiency of 95% within 20 min, and this efficiency remained over 90% across various water bodies. As revealed by the Langmuir isotherm model, the maximum adsorption capacity reached 452.7 mg g–1, surpassing that of comparable adsorbents. The superior uranium(VI) adsorption performance of HCP-HTP-2 was primarily ascribed to the porous structure and rich oxygen-containing functional groups. In short, the research indicated that HCP-HTP-2 showed great potential for uranium(VI) adsorption in actual water bodies.