Three benzene-centered tripodal diglycolamides (Bz-T-DGAs) were synthesized and evaluated for actinide, lanthanide, and fission product ion extraction. 1,3,5-Triethylbenzene-based tripodal DGA (L_I) showed high distribution ratio (D) values for Am³⁺ and Eu³⁺ in a mixture of 95% n-dodecane and 5% iso-decanol at 3 M HNO₃. Eu/Am separation factors, in the range of 8–10, were obtained at 1 M HNO₃ which decreased at higher acidities with the exception of L_II which did not show much change. Benzene-1,3,5-triamide-based tripodal DGA (L_II) exhibited a high D-value for Pu⁴⁺ compared to the other ligands. Slope analysis showed the formation of 1 : 1 or 1 : 2 complexes is dependent on the ligand. The nature of the complexes was further studied with luminescence spectroscopy (Eu complexes) and DFT calculations (Am complexes).

An amide functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT-DHA) was used for efficient and selective solid phase separation of tetravalent (Th⁴⁺) and hexavalent (UO₂²⁺) actinides.