Zirconium-based MOF/MXene aerogel composite for highly stable and selective capture of uranium from aqueous solution

UiO-66-NH 2 /MXene aerogel was synthesized using a hydrothermal and freeze-drying strategy, which exhibited excellent separability and retained its original shape after separation. In five consecutive adsorption cycles, the removal efficiency of the composite adsorbent exceeded 96 %, suggesting its recyclability potential. • UiO-66-NH₂/MXene aerogels were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method coupled with freeze-drying. • The UiO-66-NH₂/MXene aerogel acts as both U(VI) adsorbent and capacitive deionization electrode. • The removal rate of the composite can be up to 95 % with the C 0 100 mg∙L −1 at pH 6.0. • The adsorption process can reach kinetic equilibrium within 20 min. Excessive discharge of uranyl ion (U(VI)-containing) wastewater poses significant environmental and human health risks due to radiological contamination. In this study, a metal–organic framework (MOF) exhibiting aerogel-like properties was synthesized by combining UiO-66-NH 2 with MXene through a freeze-drying process. The research focused on the removal of U(VI) from aqueous solutions with this aerogel material. The adsorption isotherm was consistent with the Langmuir model, and the maximum adsorption capacity was determined to be 229.1 mg∙g −1 . The aerogel-like MOF possesses a mesoporous structure, enhancing its U(VI) adsorption efficiency while enabling easy separation and maintaining structural integrity afterward. In cyclic adsorption–desorption experiments conducted over five cycles, the UiO-66-NH 2 /MXene adsorbent demonstrated a U(VI) removal efficiency exceeding 96 %. Overall, the aerogel-like MOF demonstrates outstanding U(VI) adsorption capacity and shows promise as an effective capacitive deionization (CDI) electrode for mitigating radiological contamination.