Novel Hybrid Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Functionalization, Characterization, and Their Application in the Uptake of Scandium (III)Ions from Aqueous Media

• Published in: Materials Vol. 13; no. 24; p. 5727
• Main Authors: Salman, Ali Dawood, Juzsakova, Tatjána, Jalhoom, Moayed G, Le Phuoc, Cuong, Mohsen, Saja, Adnan Abdullah, Thamer, Zsirka, Balázs, Cretescu, Igor, Domokos, Endre, Stan, Catalina Daniela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 15.12.2020; MDPI
• Subjects: Aqueous solutions; Atomic force microscopes; Atomic force microscopy; Chemicals; Chemistry; Coupling (molecular); Coupling agents; Fourier transforms; Hydrochloric acid; Industrial applications; K2.2.2; Ligands; molecular recognition; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Recovery; Red mud; rice husk; Scandium; Silica; silica nanoparticles; Silicon dioxide; X-ray fluorescence; United States > US; Japan; molecular recognition; scandium; silica nanoparticles; K2.2.2; rice husk
• ISSN: 1996-1944; 1996-1944
• DOI: 10.3390/ma13245727

The aim of this study was to prepare novel supramolecular hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs) that can selectively separate and recover scandium metal ions, Sc(III), from an aqueous phase based on molecular recognition technology (MRT). Moreover, this approach is fully compatible with green chemistry principles. In this work, natural amorphous silica (SiO ) nanoparticles were prepared by a precipitation method from Iraqi rice husk (RH) followed by surface modification with 3-amino-propyl triethoxysilane (APTES) as coupling agent and Kryptofix 2.2.2 (K2.2.2) as polycyclic ligand. To evaluate the potential of the hybrid nanoparticles, the prepared HNPs were used for the solid-liquid extraction of scandium, Sc(III), ions from model solutions due to the fact that K2.2.2 are polycyclic molecules. These polycyclic molecules are able to encapsulate cations according to the corresponding cavity size with the ionic radius of metal by providing a higher protection due their cage-like structures. Moreover, the authors set the objectives to design a high-technology process using these HNPs and to develop a Sc recovery method from the aqueous model solution prior to employing it in industrial applications, e.g., for Sc recovery from red mud leachate. The concentrations of Sc model solutions were investigated using the UV-Vis spectrophotometer technique. Different characterization techniques were used including scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The extraction efficiency of Sc varied from 81.3% to 96.7%. Moreover, the complexed Sc ions were efficiently recovered by HCl with 0.1 mol/L concentration. The stripping ratios of Sc obtained ranged from 93.1% to 97.8%.