Chinese scientists create sponge material that extracts uranium from seawater eightfold faster than U.S. benchmark

A research group from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Qingdao reported a breakthrough material, PhosCage, that can adsorb uranium from seawater at rates exceeding eight times the U.S. Department of Energy’s target. Laboratory measurements showed the sponge-like structure recovered up to 50.4 mg of uranium per gram of material, while bead-form versions achieved 22.55 mg per gram and remained effective through seven regeneration cycles.

The beads demonstrated a strong preference for uranium, even in the presence of vanadium, which traditionally interferes with extraction. Tests used 25 liters of seawater collected off Qingdao, but the material has not yet been evaluated in the open ocean where environmental variables are more complex. The researchers plan to scale up the technology and address cost challenges, aiming to provide China with an alternative nuclear fuel source and reduce reliance on imported uranium. If successful, the method could advance global efforts to tap the oceans’ vast uranium reserves for commercial use.