DNA Complex Adsorbent for Ruthenium Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for purifying waste fluids from nuclear power plants and industrial processes face challenges in efficiently removing target metals like ruthenium due to interference from high concentrations of other ions, leading to insufficient adsorption.
Innovation Solution
A DNA complex is developed, comprising a carrier with immobilized single-stranded DNA, where 80% or more of the DNA is single-stranded and has an average molecular weight of 500,000 or less, and the carrier contains inorganic materials, enhancing the adsorption capacity and durability, particularly for ruthenium removal from solutions with high impurities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If ion-exchange resins or polymer substrates with low-molecular-weight polyamine compounds are used as adsorbents, then various metals and ions can be adsorbed, but large amounts of unintended materials are adsorbed along with the target material, reducing adsorption efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the adsorbent by using DNA with specific characteristics (single-stranded, average molecular weight 500,000 or less, 80% or more by mass) instead of conventional ion-exchange resins or polyamine compounds. This parameter change enables selective adsorption of ruthenium and other target metals while reducing co-adsorption of unintended materials like sodium and magnesium ions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system consisting of DNA immobilized on an inorganic carrier. This composite structure combines the selective binding capability of DNA with the stability and surface area of inorganic carriers, achieving both high adsorption capacity and selectivity that neither component could achieve alone.
2Quantity of substance
If adsorbents are used to remove target metals from waste fluids containing high concentrations of other ions, then material removal is achieved, but the adsorption of target materials becomes insufficient due to interference from impurities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical recognition parameters of the adsorbent by utilizing DNA's specific base sequences and structural properties. Single-stranded DNA with average molecular weight 500,000 or less exhibits specific affinity for ruthenium and other target metals, enabling selective adsorption even in the presence of high concentrations of interfering ions such as sodium, magnesium, and other metal ions in waste fluids.
3Reliability
If conventional adsorbents are used in purification systems, then basic purification is achieved, but insufficient adsorption of target materials occurs in challenging environments such as seawater
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the functional parameters of the adsorbent by using DNA with optimized characteristics (single-stranded structure, controlled molecular weight, high purity content) that maintain stability and adsorption capability in challenging environments including seawater. The DNA-inorganic carrier composite maintains structural integrity and binding affinity under varying salinity, temperature, and pH conditions where conventional adsorbents fail.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The DNA complex effectively adsorbs and removes target metals like ruthenium from solutions with high impurity levels, demonstrating improved adsorption capacity and stability, even in challenging environments such as seawater, outperforming traditional adsorbents like zeolite A.
Implementation Method 1
The DNA complex effectively adsorbs and removes target metals like ruthenium from solutions with high impurity levels
Data Source
AI summary
A DNA complex includes a carrier and DNA immobilized on the carrier. 80% or more by mass of the DNA is single-stranded DNA, the DNA has an average molecular weight of 500,000 or less, and the DNA content is more than 15% by mass and 50% or less by mass of the DNA complex. The carrier contains an inorganic material. The DNA complex has an average particle size of 10 μm or more.