Synthesis of pyridyl Schiff base functionalized SBA-15 mesoporous silica for the removal of Cu(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solution

SBA-15 mesoporous materials functionalized with N-propyl-2-pyridylimine and ethylenediaminepropyl-2-pyridylimine denoted as SBA-PA and SBA-NPA were prepared and used as adsorbents for decontamination of aqueous solutions from Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions. Batch tests were carried out and pH value of 5.0 was selected for the adsorption process. The experimental data were well represented by pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model, indicating the adsorption was promoted by chemical process and occurred on monolayer. The theoretical maximum values of sorption capacities of SBA-PA and SBA-NPA for Cu(II) were 35.87 and 48.26 mg/g, and for Pb(II) were 82.05 and 106.62 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption of Cu(II) and Pb(II) was enhanced with the increase of temperature and the thermodynamics parameters were also studied. In addition, the two adsorbents could be easily regenerated over four times without significant loss of adsorption efficiency. Therefore, these nanocomposites prepared here could be promising for heavy metal ions removal in aqueous solution. Synthesized pyridyl Schiff base functionalized SBA-15 mesoporous silica for adsorption.