Selective capture of radionuclides (U, Pu, Th, Am and Co) using functional nanoporous sorbents.

•3,4-HOPO-SAMMS was best at capturing uranium from seawater from pH 2–8.•Ac-Phos-SAMMS was best at capturing uranium at below pH 2.•3,4-HOPO-SAMMS was effective at capturing Th and Pu from pH 2–8, and americium from pH 5–8.•IDAA-SAMMS was most effective at capturing Co from river water from pH 5–8.•Over 99% of U and Co was captured by 3,4-HOPO- and IDAA-SAMMS from seawater within 5 min.