title: Modified SBA-15 mesoporous silica for heavy metal ions remediation.
abstract: N-Propylsalicylaldimino-functionalized SBA-15 mesoporous silica was prepared, characterized and used as an adsorbent for heavy metal ions. The organic-inorganic hybrid material was obtained using successive grafting procedures of SBA-15 silica with 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane and salicylaldehyde, respectively. For comparison an amorphous silica gel was functionalized using the same procedure. The structure and physicochemical properties of the materials were characterized by means of elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption, thermogravimetric analysis and FTIR spectroscopy. The organic functional groups were successfully grafted on the SBA-15 surfaces and the ordering of the support was not affected by the chemical modification. The behavior of the grafted solids for the adsorption of heavy metals ions from aqueous solutions was investigated. The hybrid materials showed high adsorption capacity and high selectivity for copper ions. Other ions, such as nickel, zinc, and cobalt were adsorbed by the modified SBA-15 material. The adsorbent can be regenerated by acid treatment without altering its properties.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemistry, University of Craiova, 165 Calea Bucuresti, 200144 Craiova, Romania.
authors.forename: Mihaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mureseanu
authors.forename: Aurora
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reiss
authors.forename: Ioan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stefanescu
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: David
authors.forename: Viorica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Parvulescu
authors.forename: Gilbert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Renard
authors.forename: Vasile
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hulea