Removal of Cobalt (Co(II)) from Aqueous Solution by Amino Functionalized SBA-15

Abstract

Mesoporous silica SBA-15 material was synthesized and functionalized by post synthesis method with amino functional group (3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane) to investigate its potential use as an adsorbent for cobalt (Co(II)) removal from aqueous solution. Several characterization methods were used for identifying the material characteristics before and after functionalization, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted and different variables that affected the removal of cobalt ions were studied, such as pH (1-6), contact time (0-150min), initial concentration (20-120mg/L) and adsorbent dose (0.025-0.3g). It was found that amino functional group was very effective in increasing the percentage removal of (Co(II)) as compared with non-functionalized SBA-15. The percentage removal of these ions were increased with the increasing of pH (up to 5), contact time and NH2-SBA-15 dose, while the increase of the initial concentration of Co(II) ions led to decrease in it.

Keywords

• adsorption
• heavy metals
• meso porous silica sba-15