Efficient Cs+-Sr2+ Separation over a Microporous Silver Selenidostannate Synthesized in Deep Eutectic Solvent.

Efficient Cs+-Sr2+ separation, highly desirable for radionuclide recovery in medical and industrial applications, was achieved by the ion exchange technique over a novel microporous silver selenidostannate, [NH3CH3]0.5[NH2(CH3)2]0.25Ag1.25SnSe3 (AgSnSe-1). This material was synthesized in deep eutectic solvent (DES), where the alkylammonium cations play significant structure-directing roles in the construction of micropores that allow for selective ion exchange toward Cs+ against Sr2+. The much greater KdCs (1.06 × 104 mL g-1) over KdSr (87.7 mL g-1) contributes to an outstanding separation factor SFCs/Sr of ∼121.4 that is top-ranked among inorganic materials. An ion exchange column filled with AgSnSe-1 exhibits a remarkable separation effect for 10 000 bed volumes of continuous flow, with removal rates of ∼99.9% and ∼0 ± 5.5% for Cs+ and Sr2+, respectively. AgSnSe-1 exhibits excellent β and γ radiation resistances and a chemical stability over a broad pH range of 1-12. The Se leaching level below the safe guideline value for drinking water highlights the environmental-friendly nature of AgSnSe-1. The high Cs+ exchange performance is almost unaffected by Na+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ cations. The Cs+-laden product AgSnSe-1Cs can be facilely eluted for recycling use, highlighting the great potential of open framework metal selenides in nuclear waste treatment and renewable energy utilization.