SEPARATION AND RECOVERY OF TETRAMETHYL AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE WITH MESOPOROUS SILICA HAVING A HEXAGONAL STRUCTURE (MCM-41)

Separation and recovery of tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH) was investigated using several types of MCM-41 (mesoporous silica having hexagonal structure) adsorbents. The MCM-41s were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis with structure-directing agents with different alkyl chains. The prepared MCM-41s were characterized with X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, nitrogen gas adsorption, and zeta potential, and then used for adsorption of TMAH. The adsorption of TMAH with MCM-41s increased with pH up to pH approximate to 10 and then decreased as the MCM-41 dissolved. The adsorption of TMAH progressed via the Langmuir mechanism. The maximum adsorption corresponded to the pore diameter and the pore volume of the MCM-41s. MCM-41 also possesses selectivity for TMAH against phenol. The chromatographic operation was conducted using granulated MCM-41 to avoid excessive pressure-drop through the packed column and quantitative adsorption-elution processing of TMAH could be achieved.