Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Preparation of Functional Silica Using a Bioinspired Method
Published on: August 1, 2018
Norepinephrine-functionalised nanoflower-like organic silica as a new adsorbent for effective Pb(II) removal from
Junkai Gao1, Xiuwang Guo1, Wenwen Tao1
1School of Port and Transportation Engineering, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316022, China.
Abstract:
In order to remove Pb(II) ions efficiently from aqueous solutions, a new effective adsorbent of norepinephrine-functionalised nanoflower-like organic silica (NE-NFOS) was synthesised by a biomimetic method. Biomimetic functionalization with norepinephrine has the advantages of environment-friendly and easy operation. Characterization of the NE-NFOS using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the NFOS was modified successfully by norepinephrine. Furthermore, the influences of different parameters including adsorption kinetics, solution pH, adsorption isotherms, concentrations of Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+, desorption and reusability were studied. The adsorption experiments showed that the capacity of NE-NFOS to adsorb Pb(II) ions improved greatly after functionalisation and adsorption equilibrium was attained within 90 min at a pH of 6.0. The Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ concentrations had little influence on the adsorption, and after recycling for five times, the Pb(II) ion removal efficiency of the adsorbent was more than 79% of its initial value. Thus, it was demonstrated that the NE-NFOS with excellent adsorption performance could be a suitable adsorbent for Pb(II) ions removal in practical applications.
Related Concept Videos
Chemical Reactions in Aqueous Solutions
Aqueous Solutions and Heats of Hydration
When ionic compounds dissolve in water, the ions in the solid separate and disperse uniformly throughout the solution because water molecules surround and solvate the ions, reducing the strong electrostatic forces between them. This process...
Leveling Effect and Non-Aqueous Acid-Base Solutions
The Leveling Effect of a Solvent
A generic acid (HA) reacts with the generic base (B-) to yield the corresponding conjugate base (A-) and conjugate acid (HB):
Composition of Polyprotic Acid Solutions as a Function of pH
A graph with the alpha values is plotted against the volume of...
Solution Formation
This selective...
General Properties of Solutions

