Sorption of Cobalt on Modified Silica Gel Materials

Various silica gel materials were chemically modified with imidazole, diaza-18-crown-6 (DA18C6) and dibenzod-18-crown-6 (DB18C6). The degree of functionalization of the covalently attached molecule was calculated from C, H, N analysis and ranged between 0.270 and 0.552 mmol/g (for sorbents with imidazole) and between 0.043 and 0.062 mmol/g (for sorbents with DA18C6 and DB18C6). The degree of functionalization depends on the reflux time and silica gel matrix used. Experimental sorption capacity ranged between 0.038 and 0.228 mmol/g (for sorbents with imidazole) and between 0.019 and 0.050 mmol/g (for sorbents with DA18C6 and DB18C6). Synthesized hexagonal mesoporous silica matrix MCM-41 with uniform pore diameter <40 Å was used too. Change of pore diameters of silica gel support to larger pores should have a positive influence on access of cobalt ion to sorption centers to increase of sorption capacity of sorbents. The sorption kinetics of cobalt and the influence of cobalt concentration, pH of various kinds of silica gel matrix with immobilized imidazole group in static conditions on sorption were measured. The sorption of cobalt in various conditions (pH, contact time of phases) with constant liquid-solid ratio (V/m = 50 ml/g) was studied. The distribution coefficients ranged between 200 and 50 000 ml/g (for imidazole), 85 and 120 ml/g (for DB18C6) and between 230 and 500 ml/g (for DA18C6) according to silica gel matrix used and according to the method of sorbent preparation. pH plays important role in the sorption of cobalt on prepared sorbents with immobilized crown ethers due to protonization of crown ethers. Protons significantly competes to sorption of cobalt in acidic solutions. The influence of presence of other heavy or toxic metals (Hg(II), Cd(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), Cu(II), Fe(III), Cr(III), Al(III) and the influence of sodium and potassium on sorption Co(II) from aqueous solutions was investigated. Sorption of cobalt decreases in order Hg > Cu > Cd > Zn, Fe > Mn > Al, Cr. The presence of sodium and potassium ions at concentration 0.05 mol/l significantly influences on the sorption of cobalt with sorbent with immobilized DB18C6 functional group.