Self-assembled ionic-liquid based organosilica (SAILBO) as a novel and powerful adsorbent for removal of malachite green from aqueous solution

A self-assembled ionic liquid based organosilica (SAILBO) is prepared and applied as novel and efficient adsorbent for removal of malachite green from aqueous solution. The SAILBO material was synthesized by hydrolysis and co-condensation of 1,3-bis(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)-imidazolium chloride (BTMSPIC) under acidic conditions. This was characterized with diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The SAILBO was successfully used in the removal of malachite green under natural conditions. The optimized conditions were achieved by using 0.03 g of adsorbent, 10 mg/L of malachite green at 30 min of contact time and pH 7. Fitting the equilibrium data showed the suitability of the Langmuir model with second-order equation to control the kinetic of the adsorption process with adsorption capacity of 19.23 mg/g. (C) 2015 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.