The ultra-selective extraction of thorium ions (Th(IV)) from lanthanides is of significance to both solve the radioactive pollution issue in rare earth (RE) production and sustainably provide thorium fuel for the liquid fluoride thorium reactors (LFTR). However, it remains a great challenge. Here, we reported an oxygen-rich microporous carbon for ultra-selective extraction of Th(IV) from rare earth elements (REEs) in a wide pH range. This selectivity was derived from the synergy of the oxygen-rich nature, microporous structure of the carbons, the chemical valence, and the ionic size of Th(IV) species. This oxygen-rich microporous carbon presented an ultra-high distribution coefficient (K_d) of 1.15 × 10⁸ mL g⁻¹ for Th(IV) at pH 4.9 in the presence of 15 REEs and revealed outstanding performance for Th(IV) extraction from three simulated RE solutions with high ionic strength of lanthanides. Meanwhile, an exceptional adsorption capacity of 624.98 mg g⁻¹ was obtained in the single Th(IV) solution. Both values were superior to those of reported adsorbents. More importantly, the new adsorbent developed here could be prepared from cigarette butts. These features ensured the oxygen-rich carbon as a promising and cost-effective adsorbent for high-purity thorium extraction from REEs.

从镧系元素中超选择地提取or离子（Th（IV））对于解决稀土（RE）生产中的放射性污染问题以及为液态氟化th反应器（LFTR）可持续提供th燃料具有重要意义。但是，这仍然是一个巨大的挑战。在这里，我们报道了一种富氧的微孔碳，可用于在宽pH范围内从稀土元素（REE）中超选择性提取Th（IV）。这种选择性源自富氧性质，碳的微孔结构，化学价和Th（IV）物种的离子大小的协同作用。这种富氧的微孔碳表现出1.15×10 ⁸ mL g ^-1的超高分布系数（K _d）在15个稀土元素存在下，pH 4.9下的Th（IV）的分离，显示了从具有高离子强度的镧系元素的三种模拟RE溶液中提取Th（IV）的出色性能。同时，在单一的Th（IV）溶液中获得了624.98 mg g ^-1的出色吸附能力。两种值均优于报道的吸附剂。更重要的是，这里开发的新吸附剂可以由烟头制成。这些特征确保了富氧碳作为从REE中提取高纯度or的一种有前途且具有成本效益的吸附剂。