Functional metallogel and framework materials for environmental remediation and sequestration of radio nuclides

Heavy industrialization in search of a better human life is adversely affecting quality of available clean water, which is central to sustain human civilization on this planet. Heavy metal ions (Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, As³⁺ and Pb²⁺), various oxoanions (Cr₂O₇²-, CrO₄²- etc.), spent nuclear fuels (⁹⁰Sr, ¹³⁷Cs, and ¹²⁷I) and soluble organic dyes are the main contributor for the contamination of the water bodies. The selective removal of these ions/molecules are of utmost importance. Herein, we report the development of various functional sulfide based ion exchangers, for ion exchange of soft metal ions and oxoanions. Layered materials, supertetrahedral framework and metal organic framework based composites exhibits excellent ion exchange properties in varying conditions. Facile metallogel materials are also developed for adsorption and separation of water soluble dyes. Some of these materials are also found to extract water from the atmospheric moisture with three-fold adsorption capacity by their weight. These tunable metallogels can also be used for other applications such as near-white light-emission by careful incorporation and stoichiometric control of TbIII: EuIIIions. The facile synthesis of these framework and metallogel materials coupled with its excellent sorbent properties underscores its potential in environmental remediation and other related applications. (author)