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Adsorption efficiency, thermodynamics and kinetics of Schiff base-modified nanoparticles for removal of heavy metals
Moftakhar, M. K.; Yaftian, M. R. & Ghorbanloo, M.
Abstract
Nanosilica particles modified by Schiff base
ligands 3-methoxy salicylaldimine propyl triethoxysilane
(MNS1), 5-bromo salicylaldimine propyl triethoxysilane
(MNS2) and 3-hydroxy salicylaldimine propyl triethoxysilane
(MNS3) were prepared, and their potential for
separation of copper, lead, zinc, cadmium, cobalt and
nickel ions from aqueous solutions was examined. The
effect of parameters influencing adsorption efficiency
including aqueous-phase pH, amount of adsorbent, stirring
time and initial concentration of the metal ions was
assessed and discussed. Although MNS1 and MNS3
removed lead ions efficiently, all adsorbents showed strong
selectivity toward copper ions. It was shown that, under
some circumstances, MNS3 decreased the amount of other
ions, particularly cobalt, in the aqueous phase. The adsorbents
were also applied for removal of copper and lead ions
from real samples. Possible quantitative desorption of the
metal ions loaded onto the adsorbents suggests their multiple
uses in adsorption–desorption process. Investigation
of temperature dependency of the process led to determination
of the ΔH°, ΔS° and ΔG° values. This investigation
indicates that the adsorption of copper ions onto the all
studied adsorbents and lead ions onto MNS1 and MNS3 is
endothermic. The Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and
Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms were tested to describe
the equilibrium data. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order,
Elovich and intra-particle diffusion equations were
applied to study the kinetics of copper and lead adsorption
onto the modified nanoparticles. This investigation indicates
that the process for all adsorbents follows pseudosecond-
order kinetics and suggests a chemisorption
mechanism for the adsorption processes by the studied
adsorbents.
Keywords
Heavy metals; Removal; Silica nanoparticles; Modification; Schiff base ligands
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