Polyoxometalate–Zirconia Coassembled Microdumbbells for Efficient Capture of Iodine

The design and synthesis of radionuclide adsorbent materials with high uptake efficiency, capacity, and excellent hydrolytic stability remains a challenge. Herein, an all inorganic, a cluster-nuclei coassembled material (polyoxometalate–zirconia) with a unique dumbbell-like 3D structure was synthesized via a single-step solvothermal approach and evaluated for radionuclide iodine capture. The easily obtained unique polyoxomolybdate–zirconia coassembled microdumbbells (PZCD) are not only capable of capturing vaporized iodine from air but also dissolved iodine from either organic or aqueous solution. The material also possesses the tendency to spontaneously release adsorbed iodine once immersed in cyclohexane. The structure of PZCD remains intact during both the uptake and release of iodine.