Actinide-based MOFs: a middle ground in solution and solid-state structural motifs

Abstract

In this review, we highlight how recent advances in the field of actinide structural chemistry of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) could be utilized towards investigations relative to efficient nuclear waste administration, driven by the interest towards development of novel actinide-containing architectures as well as concerns regarding environmental pollution and nuclear waste storage. We attempt to perform a comprehensive analysis of more than 100 crystal structures of the existing An (U,Th)-based MOFs to establish a correlation between structural density and wt% of actinide and bridge structural motifs common for natural minerals with ones typically observed in the solution chemistry of actinides. In addition to structural considerations, we showcase the benefits of MOF modularity and porosity towards the stepwise building of hierarchical material complexity and the capture of nuclear fission products, such as technetium and iodine. We expect that these facets not only contribute to the fundamental science of actinide chemistry, but also could foreshadow pathways for more efficient nuclear waste management.