Extraction of nanosize copper pollutants with an ionic liquid.
Speciation and possible reaction paths of nanosize copper pollutants extracted with a RTIL (room-temperature ionic liquid ([C4mim][PF6], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate)) have been studied in the present work. Experimentally, in a very short contact time (2 min), 80-95% of nanosize CuO as well as other forms of copper (such as nanosize Cu, Cu2+, or Cu(II)(ads) (in the channels of MCM-41)) in the samples could be extracted into the RTIL. The main copper species extracted in the RTIL as observed by XANES (X-ray absorption near edge structure) were Cu(II). Existence of Cu-N bondings with coordination numbers (CNs) of 3-4 for copper extracted in the RTIL was found by EXAFS (extended X-ray absorption fine structural) spectroscopy. Interestingly, chelation of Cu(II) with 1-methylimidazole (MIm) in the RTIL during extraction was also observed by 1H NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance). At least two possible reaction paths for the rapid extraction of nanosize copper pollutants with the RTIL might occur: (1) an enhanced dissolution of nanosize CuO (to form Cu2+) and (2) formation of [Cu(MIm)4(H2O)2]2+ that acted as a carrier of copper into the RTIL matrix.
Huang
Hsin-Liang
HL
Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City 701, Taiwan.
Wang
H Paul
HP
Wei
Guor-Tzo
GT
Sun
I-Wen
IW
Huang
Jing-Fang
JF
Yang
Y W
YW
D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis / Q000379:methods; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D052578:Ionic Liquids / Q000737:chemistry*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010316:Particle Size; D013696:Temperature; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods
D052578:Ionic Liquids; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003300:Copper