In
this study ionic liquid mediated sol-gel silica adsorbents were prepared and characterized
to investigate the sorption of Cr (VI) ions from aqueous solutions. For this
purpose silica based adsorbents containing ionic liquids (ILs) were synthesized
by following the sol-gel method in ionic liquid media. Thus the high extracting
ability of ILs were combined with the surface properties of silica substances.
Commercial (Aliquat 336® and EMIMTf2N) and synthesized
([A336][NO3]) ionic liquids were incorporated directly by sol-gel process.
Silica based adsorbents were being initiated with silica precursor (TEOS),
water, alcohol and ionic liquid hydrolysis in the presence of an acid catalyst
then completed with a condensation reaction. Chemical and morphological
characterization of prepared adsorbents have been investigated by FTIR, SEM and
BET analysis. The materials exhibited average pore diameter of 2 nm, pore
volume of 0.3 cm3/g and BET surface area of 300–600 m2/g.
The sorption behaviors of adsorbents have been investigated by using a series
of batch sorption studies. Cr(VI) sorption percentages of the adsorbents were
enhanced by containing ILs up to 99% with the adsorption capacity of 31.74
mg/g. It can be concluded that sorption of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution by
sol-gel silica based adsorbents containing Aliquat 336 takes place favorably
and these type of adsorbents are promising agents in the adsorption processes.
Journal Section | Engineering Sciences |
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Authors | |
Publication Date | March 22, 2020 |
Submission Date | November 29, 2017 |
Acceptance Date | September 4, 2019 |
Published in Issue | Year 2020 |