Electrochemical Uranium Extraction from Wastewater and Seawater

ABSTRACT Nuclear energy will experience substantial growth in the carbon‐neutral era, while simultaneously increasing demand for uranium and raising concerns about potential uranium‐containing wastewater pollution. Electrochemical uranium extraction (EUE) enables the rapid and efficient uranium recovery from wastewater or seawater; however, the development of high‐performance electrode materials and devices faces challenges because of unfavorable factors such as low uranium concentration, a wide variety of competing ions, and considerable interference from side reactions. This review comprehensively summarizes advanced EUE electrode materials tailored for various application scenarios, such as seawater, nuclear industrial wastewater, and uranium‐containing groundwater. Afterward, the prevailing consensus and ongoing debates in the research on the EUE mechanism are discussed, aiming to promote the comprehension of uranium extraction mechanisms and guide the improvement of material design and device engineering. Finally, the challenges and perspectives for EUE are presented to inspire innovative ideas and cost‐effective strategies suitable for industrial applications.