Selective heterogeneous capture and release of actinides using carborane-functionalized electrodes

We report the heterogenization of molecular, electrochemically switchable ortho-substituted carboranes (Cb-PO, Cb-PO-Pyr) for selective metal capture. Films of Cb-PO and Cb-PO-Pyr on glassy carbon and carbon fiber (CF) electrodes demonstrated heterogeneous electrochemical behaviour that was enhanced by the inclusion of single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Galvanostatically charged CF|CNT|Cb-PO and CF|CNT|Cb-PO-Pyr electrodes selectively captured and released actinides (Th4+, UO22+) from mixed solutions containing alkali (Cs+), lanthanide (Nd3+, Sm3+) and actinide (Th4+, UO22+) metal ions.