Jingliang Liu

Amino-functionalized Fe3O4@SiO2 core–shell magnetic nanomaterial as a novel adsorbent for aqueous heavy metals removal

A novel amino-functionalized Fe(3)O(4)@SiO(2) magnetic nanomaterial with a core-shell structure was developed, aiming to remove heavy metal ions from aqueous media. The structural, surface, and magnetic characteristics of the nanosized adsorbent were investigated by elemental analysis, FTIR, N(2) adsorption-desorption, transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, thermogravimetric analysis, and zeta-potential measurement. The amino-functionalized Fe(3)O(4)@SiO(2) nanoadsorbent exhibited high adsorption affinity for aqueous Cu(II), Pb(II), and Cd(II) ions, resulting from complexation of the metal ions by surface amino groups. Moreover, the adsorption affinity for heavy metal ions was not much impacted by the presence of a cosolute of humic acid (10.6mg/L) or alkali/earth metal ions (Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+)) (0.025-0.30mmol/L). The metal-loaded Fe(3)O(4)@SiO(2)-NH(2) nanoparticles could be recovered readily from aqueous solution by magnetic separation and regenerated easily by acid treatment. Findings of the present work highlight the potential for using amino-functionalized Fe(3)O(4)@SiO(2) magnetic nanoparticles as an effective and recyclable adsorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions in water and wastewater treatment.

Adsorption of aromatic compounds on porous covalent triazine-based framework

Covalent triazine-based frameworks (CTFs) are an emerging class of polymers whose adsorption properties of organic chemicals are not well understood. The main objective of this work was to evaluate combined effects of the functional groups of aromatic solutes and the triazine structure of a synthesized CTF on adsorption in aqueous solutions. Adsorption of the hydroxyl-, amino-, nitro-, and sulfonate-substituted monocyclic and bicyclic aromatic compounds was generally stronger than their non-substituted, nonpolar counterparts (benzene and naphthalene). When compared with Amberlite XAD-4 resin, one of the most common and widely used polymeric adsorbents, the CTF showed much stronger adsorption toward the polar and/or ionic compounds. To explain the adsorption enhancement of CTF, several specific, non-hydrophobic mechanisms were proposed, including hydrogen bonding (hydroxyl- and amino-substituted compounds), electrostatic attraction (anionized compounds), and π-π electron-donor-acceptor (EDA) interaction (nitroaromatic compounds) with the triazine structure of CTF. The hypothesized mechanisms were further supported by the observed pH dependence of adsorption. Resulting from size exclusion, adsorption of large-size dissolved humic acids on the homogeneous, nanopored (1.2 nm in size) CTF was negligible and did not affect adsorption of aromatic solutes. Additional advantages of fast adsorption/desorption kinetics and complete adsorption reversibility made CTF a superior adsorbent for aromatic compounds.