Phys.org January 23, 2020
Carboranes, molecules composed of boron, carbon and hydrogen atoms clustered together in three-dimensional shapes did not work out as rocket engine fuel as expected. According to an international team of researchers (USA – UC Santa Barbara, Israel) carboranes could hold the key to more efficient uranium ion extraction. Key to this technology is the versatility of the cluster molecule which allows for the controlled capture and release of metal ions. They devised a way to reliably and efficiently flip back and forth between open and closed carboranes, using electricity. By applying an electrical potential using an electrode dipped in the organic portion of a biphasic system, the carboranes can receive and donate the electrons needed to open and close and capture and release uranium, respectively. The molecules can be used multiple times. The electrochemical process could also be applied to uranium extraction from seawater, manipulate metal ions and processing nuclear waste…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
An illustration of the electrochemical switching method to capture and release uranium ions. Credit: University of California – Santa Barbara