Preparation of highly selective magnetic cobalt ion-imprinted polymer based on functionalized SBA-15 for removal Co2+ from aqueous solutions.

In this research, a novel magnetic cobalt ion imprinted adsorbent (Co(II)-MIIP) was synthesized by use of magnetic SBA-15 core-shell. It was functionalized by dithizone, and after identification by various techniques was used for removal of cobalt from aquatic systems. The uptake of cobalt proceeded very fast and achieved to equilibration within 5 min at which 74 mg g-1 of cobalt was adsorbed at pH = 8 with adsorbent dose of 0.15 g. The ion imprinted sorbent exhibited good selectivity towards cobalt ions. Separation and recovery of the used sorbent was carried out respectively by use of magnetic field and by use of HNO3 (0.1 M), and 85% of the initial capacity was obtained after seven 7 regeneration cycles. Different isotherm models, and error analysis were used to evaluate the experimental data. Thermodynamic, and kinetic evaluations showed that sorption process was endothermic, and described by second order kinetic model (R2 > 0.99). The equilibrium was established within five min.

Enhanced visible light photodegradation of pharmaceutical pollutant, warfarin by nano-sized SnTe, effect of supporting, catalyst dose, and scavengers.

Improvement of new nanophotocatalysts enable to decompose the pharmaceutical pollutants with the aid of solar energy is of particular importance. In this research, the ability of SnTe photocatalyst for degradation of warfarin was enhanced and the separation difficulties of the used photocatalyst, from solutions was removed by immobilization of the photocatalyst on a suitable porous support. A novel nano-sized photocatalyst was prepared by coupling of SnTe on the surface of SBA-15 support. Characterization of the synthesized photocatalyst (SnTe@SBA-15) was performed by different methods including XRD, TEM, TGA, FT-IR, EDS and BET techniques. The map of constituent elements was also prepared. The results indicated that the activity of SnTe photocatalyst was significantly enhanced after immobilization on the support and lower catalyst dose was needed. The visible light irradiation was more effective than UV irradiation. The degradation process was kinetically fast, and the equilibrium was established within 10 min. Separation of the synthesized photocatalyst from the solution was much easier than the bulk SnTe. The regenerated photocatalyst retained more than 90% of its initial efficiency.

Removal of zirconium from aqueous solution by modified clinoptilolite.

Adsorptive behavior of natural clinoptilolite was assessed for the removal of zirconium from aqueous solutions. Natural zeolite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, thermal methods of analysis and FTIR. The zeolite sample composed mainly of clinoptilolite and presented a cation exchange capacity of 1.46 meq g(-1). K, Na and Ca-exchanged forms of zeolite were prepared and their sorption capacities for removal of zirconium from aqueous solutions were determined. The effects of relevant parameters, including initial concentration, contact time, temperature and initial pH on the removal efficiency were investigated in batch studies. The pH strongly influenced zirconium adsorption capacity and maximal capacity was obtained at pH 1.0. The maximum removal efficiency obtained at 40 degrees C and equilibration time of 24h on the Ca-exchanged form. Kinetics and isotherm of adsorption were also studied. The pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich and intra-particle diffusion models were used to describe the kinetic data. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model provided excellent kinetic data fitting (R(2)>0.998) with rate constant of 1.60x10(-1), 1.96x10(-1), 2.45x10(-1) and 2.02x10(-1)g mmol(-1)min(-1) respectively for Na, K, Ca-exchanged forms and natural clinoptilolite. The Langmuir and Freundlich models were applied to describe the equilibrium isotherms for zirconium uptake and the Langmuir model agrees very well with experimental data. Thermodynamic parameters were determined and are discussed.

Adsorption studies of heavy metal ions on mesoporous aluminosilicate, novel cation exchanger.

Mesoporous aluminosilicates, have been prepared with various mole ratios of Si/Al and Cethyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). They have been characterized by XRD, nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements, FT-IR and thermogravimetry. Adsorption behavior of heavy metal ions on this adsorbent have been studied and discussed. The results show that incorporation of aluminum ions in the framework of the mesoporous MCM-41 has transformed it into an effective cation exchanger. The K(d) values of several metal ions have been increased. Separation of Sr(II)-Ce(III), Sr(II)-U(VI) and Cd(II)-Ce(III) has been developed on columns of this novel mesoporous cation exchanger.

Adsorption of chromate by clinoptilolite exchanged with various metal cations.

Unmodified zeolite surfaces show no affinity for anions, due to the fact that zeolites are negatively charged. Thus, adsorption of anions by zeolites has not been given much attention. In this work, after modification of clinoptilolite by different cations, the mineral was found to adsorb a considerable amount of the divalent anion chromate. Chromate adsorption was proportional to the K(sp) of the chromate precipitate and the amount of the exchangeable cation. The amount of chromate adsorbed was maximized when the Pb-exchanged form was used. Chromate desorption in deionized water indicated that between 2.50% and 18.60% of the adsorbed chromate was released depending upon the exchangeable cation. Some of the exchanged forms are candidate materials for adsorption and immobilization of chromate.

The use of clinoptilolite and its sodium form for removal of radioactive cesium, and strontium from nuclear wastewater and Pb2+, Ni2+, Cd2+, Ba2+ from municipal wastewater.

Three different samples of Iranian natural zeolites (clinoptilolite) and its sodium exchanged forms have been investigated for uptaking several different cations. Ion-exchange isotherms, have been given and discussed.