Investigation of ammonium ion removal from aqueous solutions using arene- and propylsulfonic Acid functionalized mesoporous silica adsorbents

To counter environmental threats to the water resources polluted by NH, which is common in wastewaters and agricultural runoff, adsorption using mesoporous functional materials represents a promising alternative to existing treatment methods. In this study, adsorption of NH ions from aqueous solutions was investigated on arene- and propylsulfonic acid functionalized SBA-15 mesoporous silica materials. The adsorbents were synthesized via co-condensation and post-synthesis grafting procedures. Adsorbents were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, N physisorption, titration, and elemental analyses. The effects of pH, NH initial concentration, temperature, adsorbent loading, organosilane molar ratio, and presence of competitive species on the performance of the adsorbent materials were examined. All the adsorbents having an organosilane/silica molar ratio of 1:5 displayed maximum adsorption capacity around approximately 25 mg g NH at the lowest temperature investigated, 5°C. This capacity decreased with increasing temperature. For a given initial NH concentration, the removal efficiency () increased with increasing adsorbent loading. For instance, increased from 24 to 59% when the adsorbent loading was increased from 2 to 10 g L at 25°C. The adsorption isotherms were well described by a Langmuir model equation. Adsorption capacity improved with increasing organosilane/silica molar ratio, reaching 42 mg g NH with a ratio of 2:5 at 25°C. Arene- and propylsulfonic acid functionalized SBA-15 materials synthesized via co-condensation and post-synthesis grafting proved to be effective high-capacity adsorbents for the removal of NH ions from aqueous solutions.

Introduction of bifunctional groups into mesoporous silica for enhancing uptake of thorium(IV) from aqueous solution

The potential industrial application of thorium (Th), as well as the environmental and human healthy problems caused by thorium, promotes the development of reliable methods for the separation and removal of Th(IV) from environmental and geological samples. Herein, the phosphonate-amino bifunctionalized mesoporous silica (PAMS) was fabricated by a one-step self-assembly approach for enhancing Th(IV) uptake from aqueous solution. The synthesized sorbent was found to possess ordered mesoporous structures with uniform pore diameter and large surface area, characterized by SEM, XRD, and N2 sorption/desorption measurements. The enhancement of Th(IV) uptake by PAMS was achieved by coupling of an access mechanism to a complexation mechanism, and the sorption can be optimized by adjusting the coverage of the functional groups in the PAMS sorbent. The systemic study on Th(IV) sorption/desorption by using one coverage of PAMS (PAMS12) shows that the Th(IV) sorption by PAMS is fast with equilibrium time of less than 1 h, and the sorption capacity is more than 160 mg/g at a relatively low pH. The sorption isotherm has been successfully modeled by the Langmuir isotherm and D-R isotherm, which reveals a monolayer homogeneous chemisorption of Th(IV) in PAMS. The Th(IV) sorption by PAMS is pH dependent but ionic strength independent. In addition, the sorbed Th(IV) can be completely desorbed using 0.2 mol/L or more concentrated nitric acid solution. The sorption test performed in the solution containing a range of competing metal ions suggests that the PAMS sorbent has a desirable selectivity for Th(IV) ions.

Ureasil-poly(ethylene oxide) hybrid matrix for selective adsorption and separation of dyes from water

Herein, we present a cross-linked ureasil-polyether-siloxane hybrid (labeled PEO500) that can function as a stimuli-sensitive material; it swells or shrinks in response to changes in the environmental conditions and it can also, effectively and selectively, remove dyes from water solution. We also developed a methodology to separate a mixture of cationic and anionic dyes present in water. Addition of PEO500 to an aqueous solution of the anionic orange II (OII) or the ponceau S (PS) dye rendered the solution colorless, but an aqueous solution of cationic methylene blue (MB) remained unchanged after 2 h of contact with the insoluble matrix. In situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) showed that the distance of siloxane nanodomains are strongly affected by the swelling or shriking. By in situ UV-vis adsorption experiments, we found that the kinetics of OII and PS removal followed a pseudo-first-order rate equation. We accomplished B3LYP calculations, to establish which sites on the matrix interacted with the dyes and to investigate the nature of the matrix-dye chemical bonds. On the basis of the experimental and theoretical investigations, we proposed some mechanisms to explain how PEO500 adsorbs anionic dyes efficiently. This "smart" matrix is potentially applicable as an efficient, fast, selective, and convenient device in water treatment and stimuli-sensitive response materials.

Design and fabrication of branched polyamine functionalized mesoporous silica: an efficient absorbent for water remediation

A novel branched polyamine (polyethyleneimine, PEI) functionalized mesoporous silica (MS) adsorbent is developed via a facile "grafting-to" approach. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy verified the effective surface functionalization of MS with monolayer and polymer. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to reveal the morphology of the fabricated materials. The adsorption behavior of the polyamine functionalized mesoporous silica (MS-PEI) is assessed against anionic dyes. The adsorbent characteristics of MS-PEI are compared with a monolayer platform comprising of 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane (APTES) functionalized mesoporous silica (MS-APTES). The adsorption behavior of the MS-PEI and MS-APTES toward anionic dyes is further evaluated by studying the effect of adsorbent dosage, pH, contact time, and temperature. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models are employed to understand the adsorption mechanism. The obtained kinetic data support a pseudo-second-order adsorption behavior for both monolayer and polymer functionalized MS. The associated thermodynamic parameters (ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS°) reveal that the process of adsorption with MS-PEI is more spontaneous and energetically favored as compared to the adsorption with MS-APTES. Taken together, the novel adsorbent system derived from a combination of MS and branched polymer (MS-PEI) shows the higher absorption efficiency and capacity toward the anionic dyes than the monolayer based adsorbent (MS-APTES).

Electrochemically assisted generation of highly ordered azide-functionalized mesoporous silica for oriented hybrid films

One key challenge in inorganic mesoporous films is the development of oriented mesostructures with vertical channels, and even more challenging is their functionalization while maintaining accessible the selected surface groups. Combining the electrochemically assisted deposition of ordered and oriented azide-functionalized mesoporous silica with alkyne-azide click chemistry enables such nanostructured and vertically aligned hybrid films to be obtained with significant amounts of active organic functional groups, as illustrated for ferrocene and pyridine functions. A good level of mesostructural order was obtained, namely up to 40% of organosilane in the starting sol. The method could be applied to a wide variety of functional groups, thus offering numerous new opportunities for applications in various fields.

Incessant formation of chain-like mesoporous silica with a superior binding capacity for mercury

A new chain type mesoporous silica has been easily synthesized to remove mercury ions from an aqueous medium.

A novel method for the synthesis of benzothiazole heterocycles catalyzed by a copper–DiAmSar complex loaded on SBA-15 in aqueous media

Cu(ii)–DiAmSar/SBA-15 was prepared and used as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of benzothiazole heterocycles in aqueous media.

Mesosilica materials and organic pollutant adsorption: part A removal from air

This tutorial review focuses on the application of mesoporous silica materials, primarily MCM-41 and SBA-15, for the removal of organic pollutants in the vapour phase.

A covalently anchored 2,4,6-triallyloxy-1,3,5-triazine Pd(ii) complex over a modified surface of SBA-15: catalytic application in hydrogenation reaction

Highly efficient and reusable SBA-15–TAT–Pd(ii) has been synthesized by anchoring a 2,4,6-triallyloxy-1,3,5-triazine (TAT) complex over the organo-functionalized surface of SBA-15.

A green and facile approach to obtain 100 nm zeolitic imidazolate framework-90 (ZIF-90) particles via leveraging viscosity effects

100 nm ZIF-90 nanoparticles with low cytotoxicity are obtained by utilizing glycerol for the control of viscosity effects in water–alcohol-based system.

Selective sorption of actinides by titania nanoparticles covalently functionalized with simple organic ligands

Although current and proposed reprocessing of used nuclear fuel is performed predominantly by solvent extraction processes, solid phase sorbent materials have many advantages including the ability to avoid production of large volumes of organic waste. Therefore, three titania nanoparticle based sorbent materials have been developed, functionalized with organic ligands designed to impart selectivity for elements relevant to important separations at the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle. A novel, simplified method of covalent functionalization to the titania surface has been utilized, and the resulting materials have been shown to be hydrolytically stable at pH 2. The sorption behavior of these organofunctionalized titania materials was investigated over a wide pH range with a selection of elements including fission products and actinides. Titania nanoparticles functionalized with an amine or phosphate moiety were able to demonstrate exclusive extraction of uranium under optimized conditions. Titania nanoparticles functionalized with a picolinamide moiety exhibited superior minor actinide sorption properties, in terms of both efficiency and selectivity, to solvent extraction processes using similar organic moieties. As such, organo-functionalized titania materials as solid phase sorbents show promise as a future alternative to solvent extraction processes for nuclear separations.

Periodic Mesoporous Organosilicas: from simple to complex bridges; a comprehensive overview of functions, morphologies and applications

Periodic Mesoporous Organosilicas (PMOs) were developed in 1999 and are basically ordered templated mesoporous organosilicas, prepared by the combination of a surfactant as template and a silsesquioxane as the organosilica precursor. They were one of the first examples of the so-called "hybrid" organic/inorganic materials. In the years that followed, an amazing variety of functional groups, morphologies and applications has been developed. Some of these high-end applications, like low-k buffer layers in microelectronics, chiral catalysts, chromatographic supports, selective adsorbents and light-harvesting devices, have clearly shown their potential. In this review, we will give a comprehensive overview of all these different functionalities and applications that have been created for Periodic Mesoporous Organosilicas.

Mesostructured nanomagnetic polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) incorporated with dithiol organic anchors for multiple pollutants capturing in wastewater

A functionalizable organosiliceous hybrid magnetic material was facilely constructed by surface polymerization of octavinyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) on the Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The resultant Fe3O4@POSS was identified as a mesoporous architecture with an average particle diameter of 20 nm and high specific surface area up to 653.59 m(2) g(-1). After it was tethered with an organic chain containing dithiol via thiol-ene addition reaction, the ultimate material (Fe3O4@POSS-SH) still have moderate specific area (224.20 m(2) g(-1)) with almost identical porous morphology. It turns out to be a convenient, efficient single adsorbent for simultaneous elimination of inorganic heavy metal ions and organic dyes in simulate multicomponent wastewater at ambient temperature. The Fe3O4@POSS-SH nanoparticles can be readily withdrawn from aqueous solutions within a few seconds under moderate magnetic field and exhibit good stability in strong acid and alkaline aqueous matrices. Contaminants-loaded Fe3O4@POSS-SH can be easily regenerated with either methanol-acetic acid (for organic dyes) or hydrochloric acid (for heavy metal ions) under ultrasonication. The renewed one keeps appreciable adsorption capability toward both heavy metal ions and organic dyes, the removal rate for any of the pollutants exceeds 92% to simulate wastewater with multiple pollutants after repeated use for 5 cycles. Beyond the environmental remediation function, thanks to the pendant vinyl groups, the Fe3O4@POSS derived materials rationally integrating distinct or versatile functions could be envisaged and consequently a wide variety of applications may emerge.

Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica Functionalized with Sulfonic Acid Groups as Acid Catalyst for Glycerol Acetylation

A Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica (PMO) functionalized with sulfonic acid groups has been successfully synthesized via a sequence of post-synthetic modification steps of a trans-ethenylene bridged PMO material. The double bond is functionalized via a bromination and subsequent substitution obtaining a thiol functionality. This is followed by an oxidation towards a sulfonic acid group. After full characterization, the solid acid catalyst is used in the acetylation of glycerol. The catalytic reactivity and reusability of the sulfonic acid modified PMO material is investigated. The catalyst showed a catalytic activity and kinetics that are comparable with the commercially available resin, Amberlyst-15, and furthermore our catalyst can be recycled for several subsequent catalytic runs and retains its catalytic activity.

Synergistic removal of Pb(II), Cd(II) and humic acid by Fe3O4@mesoporous silica-graphene oxide composites

The synergistic adsorption of heavy metal ions and humic acid can be very challenging. This is largely because of their competitive adsorption onto most adsorbent materials. Hierarchically structured composites containing polyethylenimine-modified magnetic mesoporous silica and graphene oxide (MMSP-GO) were here prepared to address this. Magnetic mesoporous silica microspheres were synthesized and functionalized with PEI molecules, providing many amine groups for chemical conjugation with the carboxyl groups on GO sheets and enhanced the affinity between the pollutants and the mesoporous silica. The features of the composites were characterized using TEM, SEM, TGA, DLS, and VSM measurements. Series adsorption results proved that this system was suitable for simultaneous and efficient removal of heavy metal ions and humic acid using MMSP-GO composites as adsorbents. The maximum adsorption capacities of MMSP-GO for Pb(II) and Cd (II) were 333 and 167 mg g⁻¹ caculated by Langmuir model, respectively. HA enhances adsorption of heavy metals by MMSP-GO composites due to their interactions in aqueous solutions. The underlying mechanism of synergistic adsorption of heavy metal ions and humic acid were discussed. MMSP-GO composites have shown promise for use as adsorbents in the simultaneous removal of heavy metals and humic acid in wastewater treatment processes.

Hydrophobic core/hydrophilic shell structured mesoporous silica nanospheres: enhanced adsorption of organic compounds from water

Inspired by the structure features of micelle, we attempt to synthesize a novel functionalized mesoporous silica nanosphere consisting of a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic shell. The obtained solid materials were structurally confirmed by N(2) sorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Their compositions were characterized by Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), solid state NMR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and elemental analysis. Its fundamental properties such as dispersibility in water or organic phase, wettability, and adsorption ability toward hydrophobic organics in water were investigated. It was revealed that these important properties could be facilely adjusted through varying structure and composition. In particular, these materials showed much better adsorption ability toward hydrophobic organic molecules in water than conventional monofunctionalized mesoporous materials, owing to possessing the hydrophobic/hydrophilic domain-segregated and hierarchically functionalized mesoporous structures. The intriguing properties would make mesoporous materials more accessible to many important applications, especially in aqueous systems.

Selective adsorption of Hg(II) by γ-radiation synthesized silica-graft-vinyl imidazole adsorbent

Silica-based adsorbent was prepared by γ-radiation induced grafting of vinyl imidazole (VIM) onto the silanized silica, which was silanized by chlorotrimethylsilane (TMCS). The effects of monomer concentration and absorbed dose on the grafting yield were investigated to optimize the reaction conditions. Thermodynamic analysis, FTIR analysis and XPS spectra manifested that VIM was successfully grafted onto the silica surface. The SS-g-VIM adsorbent had excellent selectivity for Hg(II) adsorption in mixture divalent cationic metal solution and a high adsorption capacity of Hg(II). The theoretical maximum adsorption capacity was calculated to be 355.9 mg g(-1) (1.774 mmol g(-1)) in HgCl(2)/HNO(3) solution at pH 5 at room temperature. The adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherm were investigated. It was found that the Langmuir isotherm model fitted well with the adsorption process and the adsorption of Hg(II) onto SS-g-VIM adsorbent could be considered as a spontaneous, endothermic and chemical sorption process. The comprehensive results suggested that SS-g-VIM adsorbent has potential application for the removal of Hg(II) from wastewater.

Removal of naphthenic acids using adsorption process and the effect of the addition of salt

In this study, various types of adsorbents were examined for the removal of Naphthenic acids (NAs) in the preliminary stage of this study. Among them, activated carbon and nickel (Ni) based alumina (Ni-Al2O3) possess relatively high adsorption capacity of NAs. The removal of NAs was evaluated comparing the total organic carbon (TOC) of the solution before and after the adsorption process. The effect of Ni loading was investigated using Ni-Al2O4 with various nickel loadings. The highest adsorption capacity (20 mg of TOC/1 mg of adsorbent) was belong to Ni-Al2O4 with 10.7% Ni loading. By the addition of salt (1500 ppm NaCl) to NAs solutions having concentrations from of 15 to 38 ppm, it was observed that the adsorption decreased dramatically (up to 80%) depending on the concentration of TOC. The kinetics of the adsorption of TOC on Ni-based alumina was also investigated. The decrease of TOC was more that 40% in the first half hour, indicating that adsorption was very rapid in the beginning. The adsorption increased slightly for up to 5 h and then leveled off when the TOC reached to 50% of initial TOC concentration. However, when sodium chloride (NaCl) was added to the solution, the adsorption decreased to almost 9% within the first half hour, reaching to almost 5% after 3 h. These phenomena suggest that the effectiveness of adsorbents may be improved by decreasing the total dissolved salts in tailings pond wastewater.

Collection of lanthanides and actinides from natural waters with conventional and nanoporous sorbents

Effective collection of trace-level lanthanides and actinides is advantageous for recovery and recycling of valuable resources, environmental remediation, chemical separations, and in situ monitoring. Using isotopic tracers, we have evaluated a number of conventional and nanoporous sorbent materials for their ability to capture and remove selected lanthanides (Ce and Eu) and actinides (Th, Pa, U, and Np) from fresh and salt water systems. In general, the nanostructured materials demonstrated a higher level of performance and consistency. Nanoporous silica surface modified with 3,4-hydroxypyridinone provided excellent collection and consistency in both river water and seawater. The MnO(2) materials, in particular the high surface area small particle material, also demonstrated good performance. Other conventional sorbents typically performed at levels below the nanostructured sorbents and demonstrate a larger variability and matrix dependency.