journal article·2026-05-08Open access

W‐N‐C Tandem Catalytic Centers Mediating Efficient Charge Transfer for the Enhanced Radical‐Path U(VI) Photoreduction

Zhiyao Wu, Jinhao Xu, Hao Fu, Yuxiang Deng, Nannan Wang, Wenhua Zhang, Peng Zhang, Zhiwei Huang, Zhenpeng Cui, Shu‐Xian Hu, Wangsuo Wu, Duoqiang Pan

Abstract

ABSTRACT Photocatalytic reduction of uranium is pivotal for environmental remediation and sustainable resource utilization. Nevertheless, the precise control over the reaction pathway and the concurrent optimization on charge separation efficiency remain formidable challenges. Herein, W─N─C coordination was fabricated through the incorporation of WO 3‐x with three‐dimensional ordered macropores g‐C 3 N 4 (3DOM g‐C 3 N 4 ). The tandem catalytic center simultaneously enhanced the intrinsic activity of g‐C 3 N 4 and enabled an efficient radical reduction pathway of U(VI). The formation of W─N─C coordination and structural distortion of the tri‐s‐triazine units enhanced n → π * and π → π * transition, resulting in a narrowed bandgap and improved visible‐light harvesting. Moreover, the Lewis‐acidic W 6+ sites promoted O 2 adsorption, facilitating the selective generation of . The radical‐mediated U(VI) reduction pathway was thermodynamically favored, where W sites acted as electron‐accepting centers, with the W─N─C coordination serving as a charge‐transfer channel under a built‐in electric field, enabling the Z‐scheme migration. Consequently, the optimized catalyst (CW‐2) exhibited a U(VI) removal rate of 98.6% (capacity of 557.56 mg/g) within 16 min, the removal efficiency was reduced to a minute scale, and the impractical oxygen exclusion was no longer a significant concern. This work established a paradigm for creating “all‐in‐one” photocatalytic active centers through targeted atomic‐scale interface design.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Radioactive element chemistry and processing · Covalent Organic Framework Applications · CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

State Key Laboratory of Chemistry for NBC Hazards Protection Frontiers Science Center for Rare Isotopes School of Nuclear Science and Technology Lanzhou University Lanzhou China

School of Mathematics and Physics University of Science and Technology Beijing Beijing China

State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐bioresources College of Agriculture Guangxi University Nanning China

State Key Laboratory of Featured Metal Materials and Life‐cycle Safety for Composite Structures MOE Key Laboratory of New Processing Technology for Nonferrous Metals and Materials Guangxi University Nanning China

National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory University of Science and Technology of China Hefei China

Funding

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities · National Natural Science Foundation of China · Natural Science Foundation of Beijing Municipality

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