Junhyun Choi

Pore characteristics and hydrothermal stability of mesoporous silica: role of oleic acid

Silicate mesoporous materials were synthesized with nonionic surfactant and their surfaces were modified by oleic acid adsorption. Infrared spectrometer, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analyses were used to investigate the structure of oleic acid modified mesoporous material. The effects of heat treatment at various temperatures on oleic acid modified materials were also studied. Oleic acids on silica surfaces were found to be bonded chemically and/or physically and be capable of enduring up to 180°C. The adsorbed oleic acid improved the hydrothermal stability of mesoporous silica and assisted mesopore structure to grow more in hydrothermal treatment process by preventing the approach of water.

Selective Removal of Arsenic Compounds from the Contaminated Paddy Soil in China Using Froth Flotation Technique

Effects of grinding time and chemicals dosage in arsenic removal from contaminated paddy soil in China were investigated using lab scale attrition and froth flotation combining process. Arsenic concentration in the field soil was 76.51 mg/kg, exceeding Korean and Chinese standards, and predominant arsenic compounds fraction in sequential extraction was “residual” (over 80%). After wet sieving, soil with >2 mm and < 0.038 mm showed concentration lower than ‘Warning Level’ in Korea. Soil with 0.038-0.075 mm, showing the highest concentration, was discarded since it occupied minor weight fraction (10.1%). Thus soil between 0.075 and 2 mm was only used in the combining process. The highest Arsenic concentration in progeny fragments smaller than 0.038 mm reached up to 981.66 mg/kg after 5 min of attrition. Optimal dosage of collector (C5H11OCS2K) and modifier (Na2S and CuSO4) in froth flotation process for the selective separation of the chipped progeny particles from the parent fragments were determined both as 200 g/ton. Arsenic removal efficiency in froth flotation process was 38.47% and it was increased to 72.74% in additional flotation process, scavenging. Average arsenic concentration after overall process wet sieving, attrition and froth flotation was estimated to 16.45 mg/kg.