Fast, selective adsorption of Cu2+ from aqueous mixed metal ions solution using 1,4,7-triazacyclononane modified SBA-15 silica adsorbent (SBA-TACN)

A new SBA-15 supported 1,4,7-triazacyclononane modified mesoporous silica adsorbent (SBA-TACN) has been synthesized using post grafting route and has thoroughly been characterized by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), N-2 adsorption-desorption measurements, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), solid-state Si-29 MAS and C-13 CP MAS NMR spectroscopy, transmission electron (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental analysis (EA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The synthesized material shows excellent copper (II) ion adsorption selectivity at pH 5 in mixed metal ion solution containing Cu2+, Cr2+, Ni2+, Co2+ and Li+. The copper ion adsorption capacity of the SBA-TACN can reach a maximum value of 0.67 mmol/g. Possible adsorption mechanism of metal ions on SBA-TACN has been discussed. The adsorbent can be readily regenerated by HNO3-NH3 treatment. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.