Mechanistic studies of adsorption and ion exchange of Si(OH)4 molecules on the surface of scorodites

Abstract

Scorodites are commonly used for arsenic immobilization, and it is also the main component of arsenic bearing tailings. Alkali-activated geopolymers are commonly used to landfill arsenic-bearing minerals. However, there no previous studies have explored the interaction between geopolymer molecules and the surface of scorodite. In this paper, Si(OH)4 as a monomer molecule of geopolymer, the mechanism of adsorption and ‘ion exchange’ between Si(OH)4 molecule and the surface of scorodite during alkali-activation is studied. Results show that the Fe-terminated scorodite (010) surface has high stability. Si(OH)4 are more easily adsorbed on the hollow site of an Fe-terminated scorodite (010) surface, which is described as chemisorption. Compared with Si(OH)4, NaOH is easier to adsorb on an Fe-terminated scorodite (010) surface. The co-adsorption of NaOH and Si(OH)4 on the Fe-terminated scorodite (010) surface was studied, and also belongs to chemical adsorption. When the hydroxyl binds to the As atom, the adsorbed Si(OH)4 is more likely to undergo an ‘ion exchange’ reaction with the surface, and the reaction is barrierless. The intermediate As(OH)4 produced by the ‘ion exchange’ reaction can be deprotonated to form an arsenate molecule, which can occur spontaneously. This work reveals that the interaction mechanism of geopolymer molecules on surface of scorodite.