Molecular Regulation of Viologen‐Based Porous Organic Polymers for Electrochemical Iodate Removal

ABSTRACT The hazards associated with radioactive iodate (IO 3 − ) primarily arise from the combined impact of long‐term radiation and their inherent toxicity. Herein, donor‐acceptor type viologen‐based porous organic polymers are covalently growth onto carbon cloth, which are first utilized in the electrochemical extraction of iodates. The molecular structures of the viologen‐based porous organic polymers are modulated to enable the effective electroactivity and high cationic site density. Under the effects of electric field and cationic sites, IO 3 − ions are enriched by the electrode. Then, the donor‐acceptor structures could improve the transfer of internal electron and are favorable for the reduction of IO 3 − to I − and I 3 − , which possessed high affinity toward the cationic sites. Based on the synergy of electrosorption and electroreduction mechanism, the self‐standing electrode achieved a fast removal process within 60 min and exhibited the maximum removal capacity of 1054.5 mg g −1 , which surpassed the reported materials for IO 3 − removal. Furthermore, good anti‐interference performance is obtained at high concentrations of co‐existing anions and over 94% of IO 3 − could be eliminated from the simulated Hanford groundwater by this electrochemical system. This study might provide a rational inspiration for the design of novel electrodes and offer an effective strategy for the iodate removal.