Organic and Macromolecular Synthesis Facility The Molecular Foundry Lawrence Berkeley National laboratory Berkeley, United States Boston, MA 2010 Nuclear Fuel Resources Workshop Innovative Functionalized Polymers for Efficient Collection of Uranium from Seawater

Organic and Macromolecular Synthesis Facility Innovative Functionalized Polymers for Efficient Collection of Uranium from Seawater Identified Uranium Resources(<$130/kgU)DemandUranium in Seawater WorldwideU.S.U.S. in 2007ConcentrationResource 5,469,000540,00012, ppb 4.5  10 9 The Identified Resource base would be sufficient for years of reactor supply worldwide. However, the projections for the United States are less optimistic. To secure our energy supply in the future, more uranium exploration is important and necessary. Shortcomings of the Japanese braid: 1. Hydrophobic polyethylene base  slow sorption kinetics. 2. Amidoxime functional group: poor stability and selectivity  low efficiency and high cost. Uranium Resource and Demand (tU) Method for uranium collection from seawater developed in Japan ($ /kgU):

Organic and Macromolecular Synthesis Facility Synthesis of Glycidyl Functionalized Adsorbent Base Materials (grafting) (copolymerization)

Organic and Macromolecular Synthesis Facility Ligand Immobilization and Screening Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) Higher hydrophilicity, easy modification

Organic and Macromolecular Synthesis Facility K. Raymond JACS 1992 J. Rebek Chemical Science 2010 J. Rebek JACS 2010 Coordination geometry — linear vs. spherical, octahedral coordination, auxiliary binding to oxygen. High affinity — only 3 ppb in sea water. (vs Amidoxime?) Selectivity — in competition with alkaline and alkaline earth metal ions in sea water. Can be modified – easiness for attachment to adsorbent. New Ligand Design

Organic and Macromolecular Synthesis Facility Consideration of polymer backbone conformation Foldamer to reinforce cooperative multivalency Tripodal ligands