Effect of preparation pH on pore structure of silica gels

Surface characterization of silica gels prepared at different gelation pH from water glass and sulphuric acid were made by argon adsorption at 77 K using continuous volumetric method. While microporous silica gels prepared in the pH range of 1–3 had BET surface areas of 504–571 m² g^–1, total pore volumes of 0.26–0.31 cm³ g^–1 and micropore volumes of 0.16–0.23 cm³ g^–1, mesoporous silica gels prepared in the pH range of 3.36–0.65 had BET surface areas of 374–530 m² g^–1 and pore volumes of 0.61–0.79 cm³ g^–1.     

Thermodynamics of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> adsorption on zeolite NaX in wide intervals of pressures and temperatures

The dependences of the differential molar isosteric heat of adsorption and entropy of adsorption of CO₂ on zeolite NaX were determined in wide temperature (196–423 K) and pressure (0.1 Pa to 5.4 MPa) intervals. In the initial region of adsorption (a < 1 mmol g^–1), the differential molar heat of adsorption increases from 40 to 43 kJ mol^–1 and then decreases to 33 kJ mol^–1. The heat of adsorption remains virtually unchanged at 3 mmol g^–1< a < 6.5 mmol g^–1 and decreases sharply at high fillings of zeolite micropores (a > 7 mmol g^–1). The heat of adsorption was found to be temperature-dependent. The region with the constant heats shrinks with the temperature increase, and the heats begin to decrease at lower fillings of micro pores. The dependences of the change in the differential entropy of the adsorption system on the amount adsorbed were calculated at different temperatures. The specific features of the behavior of the thermodynamic functions of this adsorption system in the initial and medium region of fillings kre associated with interactions of adsorbate molecules with Na⁺ cations and walls of large cavities. For high fillings, an increase in repulsion forces between adsorbed molecules results in a sharp expansion of the adsorbent and a decrease in the heat of adsorption.Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1570–1573, August, 2004.     

Performance evaluation of functionalized ordered mesoporous silica for VOCs adsorption by molecular dynamics simulation

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are growing pollutants now that cause the serious environmental pollution and threaten human health. The functionalized ordered mesoporous silica (FOMS) has attracted considerable attention in adsorbing VOCs. In this paper, the molecular dynamics simulation was used to simulate the adsorption performance of FOMS on VOCs (acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene). After simulating different pore sizes (2 nm, 3 nm and 4 nm) adsorption performances of ordered mesoporous silica (OMS) on VOCs, OMS with a pore size of 4 nm was selected to further study the influence of functional groups (vinyl, methyl, and phenyl). The following law was obtained: the saturated adsorption capacities of vinyl-functionalized OMS (V-FOMS) to acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene were 3.045 mmol.g^?1, 2.568 mmol.g^?1 and 1.976 mmol.g^?1 respectively; the saturated adsorption capacities of methyl-functionalized OMS (M-FOMS) to acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene were 2.798 mmol.g^?1, 2.312 mmol.g^?1 and 1.698 mmol.g^?1 respectively; the saturated adsorption capacities of phenyl-functionalized OMS (P-FOMS) to acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene were 2.124 mmol.g^?1, 1.941 mmol.g^?1 and 1.539 mmol.g^?1 respectively. These results show that the adsorption ability of FOMS for different adsorbates follows the sequence of acetone > ethyl acetate > toluene. Furthermore, the interaction between functional groups (vinyl, methyl and phenyl) in FOMS and VOCs was explored. It is found that the interaction between different functional groups and adsorbates is different (interaction energy effect). This interaction energy effect promotes FOMS to better adsorb VOCs. This work would provide fundamental understanding and guidance for the development of novel adsorption materials for the adsorption of VOCs.     

Material Balance Study of Adsorption of Organic Compounds

It was shown that the structure of a surface complex and the nature of an adsorption bond can be determined from the material balance of adsorption of H⁺and OH^–ions and organic compound. A calculation procedure was considered using adsorption of benzoic acid on silica gel and zirconia as examples. It was established that adsorption of benzoic acid on silica gel was accompanied by the release of H⁺ions resulted from the formation of surface hydrogen bonds, whereas adsorption on zirconia, by the substitution of OH^–ions in coordination sphere of Zr(IV).     

Microporous Silica Particles Prepared by the Salt-Catalytic Sol-Gel Process with Extremely Low Content of Water

Microporous silica was synthesized by the salt catalytic sol-gel process with extremely low content of water to tetramethoxysilane. Silica particles were precipitated even when the extent of hydrolysis was very low, since ammonium carbonate as a salt catalyst made the polycondensation faster than an acid catalyst. Microporous silica with a high surface area (680 m² g^–1) was obtained by combustion of methoxy groups at 450°C. The methoxy groups can be removed by the post-hydrolysis before heating. A high specific surface area (>750 m²g^–1) of microporous silica was obtained with pore diameter between 1.2 and 2.0 nm.     

Adsorption studies of cesium on potassium copper nickel hexacyanoferrate(II) from aqueous solutions

Adsorption of cesium from aqueous solutions on potassium copper nickel hexacyanoferrate(II) (KCNF) has been investigated in batch experiments and optimized as a function of concentration of acids, salts and adsorbate using a radiotracer technique. The results are presented in terms of distribution coefficient, K_d (ml·g^–1). The uptake of cesium obeys a Freundlich adsorption isotherm over the concentration range of 3.7 to 37 mmol·l^–1 with b values of 0.77, 0.68 and 0.56 at temperatures of 293, 313, 333 K, respectively. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm is followed in the concentration range of 15 to 75 mmol·l^–1 in the same temperature range. The values of limiting adsorption concentration (C_m) have been found to be 2.58, 2.44 and 2.32 mmol·g^–1. The heat of adsorption was calculated as 26.43 kJ·mol^–1. The influence of a number of anions and cations on cesium retention has also been studied. Column experiments have been performed and breakthrough have been obtained under different operating conditions. The low cesium capacity of 1.1 mmol·g^–1 has been obtained under dynamic conditions as compared to batch experiments. Desorption of cesium from the column has been achieved (45.4%) by nitric acid solution of 8M concentration at a flow rate of 0.5 ml·min^–1.     

Organically modified silica gel and flame atomic absorption spectrometry: employment for separation and preconcentration of nine trace heavy metals for their determination in natural aqueous systems

A 5-formyl-3-(1′-carboxyphenylazo) salicylic acid-bonded silica gel (FCPASASG) chelating adsorbent was synthesized according to a very simple and rapid one step reaction between aminopropyl silica gel (APSG) and 5-formyl-3-(1′-carboxyphenylazo) salicylic acid (FCPASA) and its adsorption characteristics were studied in details. Nine trace metals viz.: Cd(II), Zn(II), Fe(III), Cu(II), Pb(II), Mn(II), Cr(III), Co(II) and Ni(II) can be quantitatively adsorbed by the adsorbent from natural aqueous systems at pH 7.0–8.0. The adsorbed metal ions can be readily desorbed with 1 M HNO₃ or 0.05 M Na₂EDTA. The distribution coefficient, K_d and the percentage concentration of the investigated metal ions on the adsorbent at equilibrium, C_M,_eqm % (Recovery, R%) were studied as a function of experimental parameters. The logarithmic values of the distribution coefficient, logK_d, are 3.7–6.4. Some foreign ions caused little interference in the preconcentration and determination of the investigated nine metals by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).The adsorption capacity of FCPASASG was 0.32–0.43 meq g⁻¹. C and N elemental analyses of the adsorbent (FCPASASG) allowed us to calculate a surface converge of 0.82 mmol g⁻¹. This value compares well with the best values reported for the azo compounds. The adsorbent and its formed metal chelates were characterized by IR (absorbance and/or reflectance) and UV spectrometry, potentiometric titrations and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA and DTG). The mode of chelation between the FCPASASG adsorbent and the investigated metal ions is proposed to be due to reaction of those metal ions with the salicylic and/or the carboxyphenylazo chelation centers of the FCPASASG adsorbent. Nanogram concentrations (0.07–0.14 ng ml⁻¹) of Cd(II), Zn(II), Fe(III), Pb(II), Cr(III), Mn(II), Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) can be determined reliably with a preconcentration factor of 100.     

Mesoporous silica functionalized with diethylenetriamine moieties for metal removal and thermodynamics of cation–basic center interactions

The inorganic–organic hybrid material was synthesized by co-condensation of tetraethylorthosilicate and the organosilane N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]diethylenetriamine. Spectroscopic analysis of the hybrid material by FTIR showed bands at 2937 and 2839 cm⁻¹ related to ν(CH); ²⁹Si NMR spectrum gave signals at −108, −99, −68 and −59 ppm, Q⁴, Q³, T⁴ and T² species related to the silica backbone structure. The well-defined peaks obtained in the ¹³C NMR spectrum in the 10–58 ppm region confirmed the attachment of organic functional groups as pendant chains bonded into the porous silica. Particle morphology evaluated by a scanning electron microscopic (SEM) study showed the formation of spherical particles in the nanometer range. The X-ray diffraction pattern showed a peak at a 2θ of 2.3°, demonstrating the mesoporous characteristic of the synthesized material. Adsorption evaluated by batch equilibrium processes gave the maximum adsorption of 2.2 and 2.8 mmol g⁻¹ for copper and nickel, respectively. From these values a stoichiometry of 2:1 for cation/ligand was established, considering the amount of 1.2 mmol of pendant groups per gram of the hybrid material. Thermodynamic parameters related to the adsorption of metal ions, evaluated using the calorimetric titration technique presented a negative Gibbs free energy value, in agreement with the spontaneity of cation removal on the basic center in the mesoporous silica at the solid/liquid interface.     

Synthesis and characterization of silica gel microspheres encapsulated by salicyclic acid functionalized polystyrene and its adsorption of transition metal ions from aqueous solutions

The present study was undertaken to develop a novel adsorbent for heavy metal ions, and this paper presents the synthesis and characterization of a composite material-silica gel microspheres encapsulated by salicyclic acid functionalized polystyrene (SG-PS-azo-SA) with a core-shell structure. SG-PS-azo-SA was used to investigate the adsorption of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Fe(III), Hg(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Cr(VI), Pd(II), Cu(II), Ag(I), and Au(III) from aqueous solutions. The results revealed that SG-PS-azo-SA has better adsorption capacity for Cu(II), Ag(I) and Au(III). Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to analyze the experimental data, the best interpretation for the experimental data was given by the Langmuir isotherm equation with the maximum adsorption capacity for Cu(II), Ag(I), and Au(III) at 1.288 mmol g⁻¹, 1.850 mmol g⁻¹ and 1.613 mmol g^t-1, respectively. Thus, silica gel encapsulated by salicyclic acid functionalized polystyrene (SG-PS-azo-SA) is favorable and useful for the removal of Cu(II), Ag(I) and Au(III) metal ions.     

Synthesis and Application of Hydride Silica Composites for Rapid and Facile Removal of Aqueous Mercury

The adsorption of ionic mercury(II) from aqueous solution on functionalized hydride silicon materials was investigated. The adsorbents were prepared by modification of mesoporous silica C‐120 with triethoxysilane or by converting alkoxysilane into siloxanes by reaction with acetic acid. Mercury adsorption isotherms at 20 °C are reported, and maximum mercury loadings were determined by Langmuir fitting. Adsorbents exhibited efficient and rapid removal of ionic mercury from aqueous solution, with a maximum mercury loading of approximately 0.22 and 0.43 mmol of Hg g^?1 of silica C‐120 and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) xerogel, respectively. Adsorption efficiency remained almost constant from pH 2.7 to 7. These inexpensive adsorbents exhibiting rapid assembly, low pH sensitivity, and high reactivity and capacity, are potential candidates as effective materials for mercury decontamination in natural waters and industrial effluents.     

Modeling of iron adsorption on HTTA-loaded polyurethane foam using Freundlich,Langmuir and D-R isotherm expressions

The sorption of Fe(III) at low pH range from 1 to 4.5 on open cell polyether type HTTA-loaded polyurethane foam has been carried out using batch technique. The optimum shaking time for 2.5· 10^–4M solution of Fe(III) was found to be 30 minutes. The concept of macropore and micropore nature of polyurethane foam sorbent offers unique advantages of adsorption. Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms are followed at low concentration range from 1·10^–4 to 3·10^–4M solution of Fe(III). The Freundlich constant (1/n=0.46±0.013 andK=9.16±1.39 mg·g^–1) and Langmuir isotherm constants(M=21.78 mg·g^–1 andb=88.41±9.731·g^–1) were established. The sorption mean free energyE=12.22±0.09 kJ·mol^–1 and loading capacityC _m =145.21±6.1 mg·g^–1 were evaluated using Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm, which suggested that the adsorption mechanism was chemisorption.     

Adsorption of carbon dioxide on microporous carbon adsorbent PAU-10

Carbon dioxide adsorption on the microporous carbon adsorbent PAU-10 within the 177.8—423 K temperature and 0.1—5.13·10⁶ Pa pressure intervals was studied. The isosteres of absolute adsorption are well approximated by straight lines, which do not change their slope on going to temperatures higher than the critical temperature of CO₂. An increase in the differential molar isosteric heat of adsorption (q _st) at 0 < a < 1 mmol g^–1 is explained by the influence of the endothermic effect of adsorption expansion of the adsorbent. In the region of high pressures and nonideal gas phase, q _st is temperature-dependent.     

Removal of radioiodine from nuclear-fuel-reprocessing off-gases with silver-nitrate-impregnated silica gel

Silver-impregnated silica gels prepared by us have very good adsorption characteristics for both organic and inorganic radioiodine. Under the operating conditions applied, the adsorption capacity is up to 200 mg I g^–1 and the utilization of silver on the sorbent is higher than 90%. The adsorbent can be used to remove iodine from nuclear fuel reprocessing off-gases and from air cleaning systems of nuclear reactors.     

Determination of traces of vanadium with the catalytic maximum wave in differential pulse polarography

Summary A differential pulse-polarographic method has been studied for the determination of vanadium employing the catalytic maximum wave. A well-defined differential pulse polarographic peak is observed in the potential range from –0.2 to –0.7 V vs. SCE for vanadium(V) in 10 mmol 1^–1 NaCl containing 10 mmol 1^–1 acetic acid, 40 mmol 1^–1 pyrocatechol, and 2.5 mmol 1^–1 KBrO₃. The peak current is very large and proportional to the concentration of vanadium(V) between 1×10^–7 and 1×10^–6 mol 1^–1. The relative standard deviation at 0.5 mol l^–1 vanadium(V) was 2.06% (n=7). This method has been successfully applied to the determination of vanadium in standard materials such as pond sediment.

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Spurenbestimmung von Vanadium mit Hilfe der katalytischen Maximumsstufe in der Differential-Puls-Polarographie

Zusammenfassung Ein gut definierter differentialpuls-polarographischer Peak wurde für Vanadium(V) in 10 mmol/l NaCl-Lösung, die 10 mmol/l Essigsäure, 40 mmol/l Brenzcatechin und 2,5 mmol/l KBrO₃ enthielt, beobachtet (Potentialbereich –0,2 bis –0,7 V gegen SCE). Der Peakstrom ist sehr groß und die Vanadiumkonzentration im Bereich von 1×10^–7 bis 1×10^–6 mol/l proportional. Die relative Standardabweichung betrug 2,06% (n=7) bei 0,5 mol/l Vanadium(V). Das Verfahren wurde mit gutem Erfolg zur Vanadiumbestimmung in Standardproben (z.B. Teichsediment) eingesetzt.

     

Determination of tributyltin in sediments by hydride generation /GC/QFAAS

All steps involved in the determination of tributyltin in sediments by anhydrous acetic acid extraction, hydride generation, cold trapping, gas chromatographic separation and quartz furnace atomic absorption spectrometry are critically examined. Detection limits (1.8 ng Sn.g^–1) and reproducibility at representative concentration levels (6–12%) are satisfying for practical purposes.     

Selective extraction of U(VI), Th(IV), and La(III) from acidic matrix solutions and environmental samples using chemically modified Amberlite XAD-16 resin

A new grafted polymer has been developed by the chemical modification of Amberlite XAD-16 (AXAD-16) polymeric matrix with [(2-dihydroxyarsinoylphenylamino)methyl]phosphonic acid (AXAD-16-AsP). The modified polymer was characterized by a combination of ¹³C CPMAS and ³¹P solid-state NMR, Fourier transform-NIR-FIR-Raman spectroscopy, CHNPS elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The distribution studies for the extraction of U(VI), Th(IV), and La(III) from acidic solutions were performed using an AXAD-16-AsP-packed chromatographic column. The influences of various physiochemical parameters on analyte recovery were optimized by both static and dynamic methods. Accordingly, even under high acidities (>4 M), good distribution ratio (D) values (10²–10⁴) were achieved for all the analytes. Metal ion desorption was effective using 1 mol L^–1 (NH₄)₂CO₃. From kinetic studies, a time duration of <15 min was sufficient for complete metal ion saturation of the resin phase. The maximum metal sorption capacities were found to be 0.25, 0.13, and 1.49 mmol g^–1 for U(VI); 0.47, 0.39, and 1.40 mmol g^–1 for Th(IV); and 1.44, 1.48, and 1.12 mmol g^–1 for La(III), in the presence of 2 mol L^–1 HNO₃, 2 mol L^–1 HCl, and under pH conditions, respectively. The analyte selectivity of the grafted polymer was tested in terms of interfering species tolerance studies. The system showed an enrichment factor of 365, 300, and 270 for U(VI), Th(IV), and La(III), and the limit of analyte detection was in the range of 18–23 ng mL^–1. The practical applicability of the polymer was tested with synthetic nuclear spent fuel and seawater mixtures, natural water, and geological samples. The RSD of the total analytical procedure was within 4.9%, thus confirming the reliability of the developed method.     

Surface characterization and heats of adsorption of chromatographic alumina gel

The porous nature of chromatographic alumina gel has been investigated by adsorption/condensation processes and electron microscopy. Having 63% porosity, the gel is very porous. Total pore volume as determined by the fluid-displacement method is 0.497 cm³ g^–1. Its specific surface area, as determined by water vapor adsorption, is 225 m² g^–1. Micropore volume, as determined by utilizing Gurwitsch's rule, turns out to be 0.262 cm³ g^–1. The greater portion of the surface area and pore volume occurs in small and transitional pores, with average pore radii (hydraulic) less than 2.1 nm.Organic vapors, such as methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, methyl acetate, and methyl alcohol, were adsorbed on the gel between 0 and 36°C under vacuum, and the data were recorded on a Cahn-1000 electrobalance device. Isosteric heats of adsorption were calculated by applying the Clausius Clapeyron equation to the adsorption isosters at different surface coverages. Two types of adsorption processes, one with low activation energy and other with high activation energy can be distinguished. The increase in values ofq _st indicates that increasing temperature changes physical adsorption into chemisorption.     

Effect of Phosphorylation of Si-MCM-41 and Ti-Si-MCM-41 Mesoporous Molecular Sieves on Their Structure-Adsorption and Acid Properties

Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, nitrogen and argon adsorption, thermal analysis, thermoprogrammed ammonia desorption, and ¹H MAS NMR spectroscopy were used to show that phosphorylation by POCl₃ yields MCM-41 silica gel and Ti-MCM-41 titanium-silica gel mesoporous molecular sieves with about 1.1 mmol/g acid sites consisting largely of hydroxyl group protons of supported phosphoric acid. These materials display catalytic activity in the esterification of acetic acid by ethanol.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Selective Metal Binding Properties of Physically Adsorbed 2-Thiouracil on the Surface of Porous Silica and Alumina

The physical adsorption of 2-hydroxy-2-mercaptopyrimidine (2-thiouracil) on the surface of porous silica gel and basic alumina is studied and described. Four silica and alumina materials were identified on the basis of surface coverage determination by thermal desorption method. Modified aluminas were found to be physically adsorbed with 2-thiouracil by 0.14, 0.54, and 0.43–1.63mmolg^–1. Modified silica materials (I–IV) were identified by adsorption of 2-thiouracil (0.344–0.446mmolg^–1). The metal sorption, binding and selectivity properties of these modified alumina and silica materials were studied and evaluated by a series of di- and trivalent metal ions. Aluminas (II–IV) were found to have high capacity in selective extraction of cadmium (II) from aqueous solutions compared to other tested metal ions. The highest metal capacity (1.0mmolg^–1) was found for cadmium (II) on modified aluminas (IV). Potential application of the modified aluminas (I–IV) for selective removal and extraction of 1.0ngmL^–1 of cadmium (II) from natural seawater samples was performed and compared with the modified silicas (I–IV). The modified aluminas (II–IV) showed a significantly higher capacity than the modified silicas for cadmium (II) with an average percentage recovery value of 97.8±0.4%. The matrix effect of seawater was found to play an insignificant role in the atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis of cadmium (II).     

Silylating Agents Grafted onto Silica Derived from Leached Chrysotile

Silica from leached chrysotile fibers (SILO) was silanized with trialkoxyaminosilanes to yield inorganic–organic hybrids designated SILx (x=1–3). The greatest amounts of the immobilized agents were quantified as 2.14, 1.90, and 2.18 mmol g⁻¹ on SIL1, SIL2, and SIL3 for –(CH₂)₃NH₂,–(CH₂)₃NH(CH₂)₂NH₂, and –(CH₂)₃NH(CH₂)₂NH(CH₂)₂NH₂ groups attached to the inorganic support. The infrared spectra for all modified silicas showed the absence of the Si–OH deformation mode, originally found at 950 cm⁻¹, and the appearance of asymmetric and symmetric C–H stretching bands at 2950 and 2840 cm⁻¹. Other important bands associated with the organic moieties were assigned to ν_as(NH) at 3478 and ν_sym(NH) at 3418 cm⁻¹. The NMR spectrum of the solid precursor material suggested two different kinds of silicon atoms: silanol and siloxane groups, between −90 and 110 ppm; however, additional species of silicon that contain the organic moieties bonded to silicon at −58 and −66 ppm appeared after chemical modification. These modified silicas showed a high adsorption capacity for cobalt and copper cations in aqueous solution, in contrast to the original SILO matrix, confirming the unequivocal anchoring of silylating agents on the silica surface.