Synthesis and Surface Modification of Mesoporous Silicate SBA‐15 for the Adsorption of Metal Ions

Abstract

In this study surface modified SBA‐15, coated with octadecyltrichlorosilane (C18), is considered as an alternative adsorbent for metal ions in water. The SBA‐C18 was loaded with Bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinic acid (cyanex 272) as the metal ion extractant. The adsorption characteristics of phosphinic acid loaded SBA‐C18 were evaluated for Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions in aqueous solution. Adsorption tests indicated that a contact time of 1 hour was sufficient for adsorption equilibrium to occur. The pH_1/2 values of Zn(II) and Cu(II) onto SBA‐C18, were found to be similar to published data for levextrel ion exchange resins and around 1 pH unit lower than published solvent extraction data for cyanex 272 in xylene.

Keywords:

• SBA‐15
• mesoporous silicate
• adsorption
• metal ions
• surface modification

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the technical assistance of Masamitsu Iiyama and Yoshitaka Itatani, of the Kanazawa Institute of Technology. The authors would also like to acknowledge the generous funding support of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and the Support of the Particulate Fluids Processing Center, a Special Research Centre of the Australian Research Council, at the University of Melbourne.