Amine-functionalised SBA-15 of tailored pore size for heavy metal adsorption

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science Vol. 369; no. 1; pp. 330 - 337
• Main Authors: McManamon, Colm, Burke, Aoife M., Holmes, Justin D., Morris, Michael A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.03.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adsorption; Amines - chemistry; Cadmium; Cadmium - isolation & purification; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Exact sciences and technology; Functionalisation; General and physical chemistry; Lead (metal); Lead - isolation & purification; Low concentrations; Metal ion adsorption; Metal ions; Pore size; Pore size expansion; Porosity; Porous materials; Silicon Dioxide - chemical synthesis; Silicon Dioxide - chemistry; Surface chemistry; Surface physical chemistry; Metal ion adsorption; Pore size expansion; Functionalisation; Heat treatment; Microanalysis; Metal ion; Porous material; X ray diffraction; Physisorption; Mesoporosity; Powder; Heavy metal; Infrared spectrometry; Pore size; Precipitation; Amine; Transmission electron microscopy; Synthesis; Adsorption; pH; Surface area; Reflectance
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2011.11.063

[Display omitted] ► Synthesis of SBA-15 with tailored pore sizes through controlled thermal treatment. ► Adsorption of Pb and Cd ions from wastewater. ► Slower thermal treatment increases metal ion adsorption. ► Regeneration was achieved using HCl with little adverse effect on the material. This study examines the synthesis of SBA-15 with tailored pore sizes through controlled thermal treatment for the adsorption of Pb and Cd ions. The aim is to produce a material that can adsorb heavy metals at both high and low concentrations. The materials were characterised by means of N2 physisorption, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), microanalysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The surface areas ranged from 410 to 871m2g−1, and pore diameter was increased from 5.9 to 10.8nm. This method allows for maximum adsorption of metal ions at very low concentrations. Metal ion adsorption was determined using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The effects of pH were found to play a major role in the precipitation and, therefore, adsorption of metal ions. This method proved to be efficient at adsorbing large quantities of both metals (39 and 41mgg−1 for Pb and Cd, respectively).