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Efficient adsorption of Th(IV) from aqueous solution by modified SBA-15 mesoporous silica

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Abstract

A very effective adsorbent for thorium has been obtained by modification of Santa Barbara Amorphous (SBA-15) using the chelating agent thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA). The prepared adsorbent (SBA-15-TTA) was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), surface area, porosity, and zeta potential analyses. We investigated the factors affecting Th(IV) adsorption on TTA-SBA-15, such as initial pH, contact time, temperature, and initial metal concentration. The effective initial pH for adsorption was found to be 4. The binding sites on TTA-SBA-15 adsorbent were saturated using an initial Th(IV) concentration of 100 mg L−1. The Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm suggested a strong chemical interaction between adsorbent and adsorbate. Contact time and temperature had no significant effect on the adsorption. Therefore, the studies show that TTA-SBA-15 is a promising adsorbent to treat Th(IV)-contaminated effluents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Ege University, 35100, Bornova-Izmir, Turkey

    Mutlu Gök, Şenol Sert, Gülçin Özevci & Meral Eral

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  1. Mutlu Gök
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  2. Şenol Sert
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Correspondence to Şenol Sert.

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This work was supported by the Scientific Technological Research Council of Turkey (No. 113Y557).

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Gök, M., Sert, Ş., Özevci, G. et al. Efficient adsorption of Th(IV) from aqueous solution by modified SBA-15 mesoporous silica. NUCL SCI TECH 29, 95 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41365-018-0432-y

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