Analyzing (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane-Functionalized Porous Silica for Aqueous Uranium Removal: A Study on the Adsorption Behavior

Overview

Journal Molecules

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Biology

Date 2024 Feb 24

PMID 38398554

Authors

Kegang Wei

Chin-Pao Huang

Affiliations

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Abstract

This study synthesized (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane-functionalized porous silica (AP@MPS) to adsorb aqueous uranium (U(VI)). To comprehensively analyze the surface properties of the AP@MPS materials, a combination of SEM, BET, XPS, NMR, and zeta potential tests were conducted. The adsorption experiments for U(VI) revealed the rapid and efficient adsorption capacity of AP@MPS, with the solution condition of a constant solution pH = 6.5, an initial U(VI) concentration of 600 mg × L, a maximum U(VI) capacity of AP@MPS reaching 381.44 mg-U per gram of adsorbent, and a removal rate = 63.6%. Among the four types of AP@MPS with different average pore sizes tested, the one with an average pore size of 2.7 nm exhibited the highest U(VI) capacity, particularly at a pH of 6.5. The adsorption data exhibited a strong fit with the Langmuir model, and the calculated adsorption energy aligned closely with the findings from the Potential of Mean Force (PMF) analysis. The outcomes obtained using the Surface Complex Formation Model (SCFM) highlight the dominance of the coulombic force ΔG as the principal component of the adsorption energy (ΔG). This work garnered insights into the adsorption mechanism by meticulously examining the ΔG across a pH ranging from 4 to 8. In essence, this study's findings furnish crucial insights for the future design of analogous adsorbents, thereby advancing the realm of uranium(VI) removal methodologies.

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