Synthesis of bifunctional groups-integrated mesoporous silica hybrid adsorbent for simultaneous removal of Hg2+ and Cu2+ ions from aqueous solution

• Published in: Surfaces and interfaces 2022-04, Vol.29, p.101808, Article 101808
• Main Authors: Santhamoorthy, Madhappan, Thirupathi, Kokila, Periyasamy, Thirukumaran, Thirumalai, Dinakaran, Ramkumar, Vanaraj, Asrafali, ShakilaParveen, Kim, Seong-Cheol
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Co-condensation; Mesoporous organosilicas; Metal ion adsorption; Recyclability; Wastewater treatment
• ISSN: 2468-0230; 2468-0230
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2022.101808

A mesoporous organosilica hybrid integrated with disulfide and amine groups was synthesized in a sol-gel co-condensation method using Pluronic P123 as structural directing surfactant. In the initial silane mixture, the organic functional groups content of disulfide and amine groups along with tetraethyl orthosilicate incorporated into the pore walls of mesoporous silica is approximately 30 mol/g (BDSTES: AAPTES is 15:15 mol/g). The surface area, pore volume and pore size of the prepared disulfide bridged and amine groups integrated mesoporous silica hybrid adsorbent (MSHA@SS-NH2) materials are approximately 462 m2/g, 0.58 cm3/g, and 2.6 nm, respectively. The MSHA@SS-NH2 adsorbent materials demonstrated that adsorption equilibrium could be achieved in 30 min and the adsorbed amount of Hg2+ and Cu2+ ions calculated to be about 166 mg/g and 153 mg/g, respectively, with the ∼ 90% of Hg2+ ions and ∼ 84% of Cu2+ ions removal capacity from the mixture of initial metal ions solutions (100 mg/L). By washing with 0.1 M HCl solution and regenerating with aqueous ammonia (3%) solution, the MSHA@SS-NH2 adsorbent demonstrated recyclable and reusable ability up to 5 times. As a result, the MSHA@SS-NH2 material developed could be used as an effective adsorbent for the simultaneous removal of Hg2+ and Cu2+ ions from wastewater. [Display omitted]