TY  - EJOU
AU  - Wang, Jianrui 
AU  - Sheraz, Mahshab 
AU  - Wang, Rui 
AU  - Pipíška, Martin 
AU  - Frišták, Vladimír 

TI  - Ion-Imprinted Polymer and Hydrogel for Lithium and Uranium Recovery from Seawater: Fabrication, Properties and Applications
T2  - Journal of Polymer Materials

PY  - 
VL  - 
IS  - 
SN  - 0976-3449

AB  - The selective recovery of lithium and uranium from seawater has attracted growing attention due to their strategic importance in energy storage (lithium) and nuclear power (uranium), as well as the vast yet underutilized marine reserves of these elements. However, their extraction remains highly challenging because of their ultra-low concentrations, the overwhelming abundance of competing ions, and the complexity of seawater chemistry. In this context, ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs) and ion-imprinted hydrogels (IIHs) have emerged as promising platforms owing to their target-specific recognition sites, tunable structures, and potential for selective adsorption in complex aqueous systems. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in IIPs and IIHs for lithium and uranium recovery from seawater, with emphasis on fabrication principles, structure-performance relationships, and practical applications. The fundamental concepts of ion imprinting are first discussed, including template selection, functional monomers and ligands, cross-linkers, initiators, porogens, and advanced strategies such as surface imprinting, stimuli-responsive imprinting, multi-component imprinting, click chemistry, and microwave-assisted synthesis. The review then examines the unique characteristics of ion-imprinted hydrogels, particularly their hydrated networks, diffusion-friendly structures, and stimuli-responsive behavior. Subsequently, lithium- and uranium-selective imprinted materials are critically analyzed in terms of preparation conditions, adsorption mechanisms, selectivity, regeneration, and performance under realistic seawater conditions. Current limitations, including insufficient selectivity in high-salinity environments, structural instability, limited real seawater validation, and lack of standardized evaluation protocols, are also highlighted. Finally, future perspectives are proposed, focusing on advanced ligand design, multifunctional and anti-fouling materials, intelligent responsive systems, and interdisciplinary approaches to accelerate the development of efficient and scalable seawater resource recovery technologies.
KW  - Ion-imprinted polymers; ionic hydrogels; lithium extraction from seawater; uranium extraction from seawater; selective adsorption

DO  - 10.32604/jpm.2026.084908