Adsorption efficiency, thermodynamics and kinetics of Schiff base-modified nanoparticles for removal of heavy metals

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Nanosilica particles modified by Schiff base ligands 3-methoxy salicylaldimine propyl triethoxysilane (MNS1), 5-bromo salicylaldimine propyl triethoxysilane (MNS2) and 3-hydroxy salicylaldimine propyl triethoxysilane (MNS3) were prepared, and their potential for separation of copper, lead, zinc, cadmium, cobalt and nickel ions from aqueous solutions was examined. The effect of parameters influencing adsorption efficiency including aqueous-phase pH, amount of adsorbent, stirring time and initial concentration of the metal ions was assessed and discussed. Although MNS1 and MNS3 removed lead ions efficiently, all adsorbents showed strong selectivity toward copper ions. It was shown that, under some circumstances, MNS3 decreased the amount of other ions, particularly cobalt, in the aqueous phase. The adsorbents were also applied for removal of copper and lead ions from real samples. Possible quantitative desorption of the metal ions loaded onto the adsorbents suggests their multiple uses in adsorption–desorption process. Investigation of temperature dependency of the process led to determination of the ΔH°, ΔS° and ΔG° values. This investigation indicates that the adsorption of copper ions onto the all studied adsorbents and lead ions onto MNS1 and MNS3 is endothermic. The Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms were tested to describe the equilibrium data. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich and intra-particle diffusion equations were applied to study the kinetics of copper and lead adsorption onto the modified nanoparticles. This investigation indicates that the process for all adsorbents follows pseudo-second-order kinetics and suggests a chemisorption mechanism for the adsorption processes by the studied adsorbents.