title: Metal-controlled assembly of uranyl diphosphonates toward the design of functional uranyl nanotubules.
abstract: Two uranyl nanotubules with elliptical cross sections were synthesized in high yield from complex and large oxoanions using hydrothermal reactions of uranyl salts with 1,4-benzenebisphosphonic acid or 4,4'-biphenylenbisphosphonic acid and Cs(+) or Rb(+) cations in the presence of hydrofluoric acid. Disordered Cs(+)/Rb(+) cations and solvent molecules are present within and/or between the nanotubules. Ion-exchange experiments with A(2){(UO(2))(2)F(PO(3)HC(6)H(4)C(6)H(4)PO(3)H)(PO(3)HC(6)H(4)C(6)H(4)PO(3))}·2H(2)O (A = Cs(+), Rb(+)), revealed that A(+) cations can be exchanged for Ag(+) ions. The uranyl phenyldiphosphonate nanotubules, Cs(3.62)H(0.38)[(UO(2))(4){C(6)H(4)(PO(2)OH)(2)}(3){C(6)H(4)(PO(3))(2)}F(2)]·nH(2)O, show high stability and exceptional ion-exchange properties toward monovalent cations, as demonstrated by ion-exchange studies with selected cations, Na(+), K(+), Tl(+), and Ag(+). Studies on ion-exchanged single crystal using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) provide evidence for chemical zonation in Cs(3.62)H(0.38)[(UO(2))(4){C(6)H(4)(PO(2)OH)(2)}(3){C(6)H(4)(PO(3))(2)}F(2)]·nH(2)O, as might be expected for exchange through a diffusion mechanism.
authors: Department of Civil Engineering and Geological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA.
authors: Pius O
authors: PO
authors: Adelani
authors: Thomas E
authors: TE
authors: Albrecht-Schmitt