Heavy Metallic and Organometallic Ions Scavenging Using Silica‐Based Adsorbent Functionalized with Ligands Containing Sulfur and Nitrogen Elements

Abstract

AbstractA variety of silica‐based solid phases, whose surfaces are functionalized with ligands containing sulfur and nitrogen elements, are used as self‐supporting adsorbents for environmental remediation evaluation and potential separation application. Each adsorbent is tested for its ability to scavenge five metallic ions: Hg2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Mn2+, Pb2+, and two organometallic ions: ethylmercury and phenylmercury, from independent homoionic solutions at both neutral and acidic pH values. The results indicate that the percentage of these ions scavenged by a given adsorbent varies, and is found to be highly related to the structural environment in the vicinity of the sulfur and nitrogen elements on the ligand. It is believed that the scavenging of metallic ions is a result of the complexation formation between the metallic ions and the ligands containing sulfur and nitrogen elements, and is not due to the irreversible association chemistry with the sulfur or nitrogen element itself. In the case of organometallic ions, a π‐π interaction is thought to be involved in the adsorption with ligands containing an aromatic moiety in addition to the aforementioned forces. The time needed to reach the maximum percent of adsorption decreases as the amount of adsorbent increases. The longer the adsorption time, the higher percent of ion is removed. Other factors, such as the temperature and the acidity in the liquid phase of the matrix affect the percentage of ions scavenged as well.