Introducing self-assembly effect in adsorption process for efficient uranium extraction by zwitterion highly-functionalized fibers

•Phosphorylcholine is functionalized on fibrous adsorbent with very high degree.•A novel self-assembly effect is introduced in the uranium adsorption process.•Excellent mass transfer performance toward uranyl is exhibited.•Ultrahigh uranyl/ligand stoichiometric ratio >5:1 is achieved.•Remarkable uranium adsorption capacity up to 2658 mg g−1 is performed.