Facile synthesis of <scp>silica‐polymer</scp> monoliths using nonionic triblock copolymer surfactant for efficient removal of radioactive pollutants from contaminated seawater

Here, we introduce a highly porous functional mesoscopically silica-polymer composite based on silica monolith-conjugated thiourea/formaldehyde copolymer. The developed nanostructure enables selective and fast removal of the radioactive pollutants strontium (Sr[II]) cesium (Cs[I]) ions from contaminated seawater. silica/polymer was synthesized by introducing solution into tetramethoxy orthosilicate/triblock copolymer emulsion. chemical textural features silica/thiourea-formaldehyde polymer (SiO2-TUF) were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron scanning electron microscope, high-resolution transmission energy dispersive analysis, dynamic light scattering, thermal N2 adsorption/desorption measurements. microporous SiO2-TUF showed excellent ability, reaching maximum adsorption capacity 78.2 40.3 mg g−1 for Sr(II) Cs(I), respectively. When tested with seawater strontium, able to selectively target Cs(I) ions. Among different types isotherms investigated, Sips isotherm best fit R2 > 0.990. kinetic studies that pseudo-second-order model gave description uptake process.