A novel method based on functionalized bimodal mesoporous silica nanoparticles for efficient removal of lead aerosols...

In this study, the enrichment and novel sorbent based on functionalized bimodal mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HS-UVM₇ and NH₂-UVM₇) was used for removal of lead aerosols pollution from air by solid liquid gas phase extraction method (SLGPE). In bench scale set up, the lead aerosols [(Pb (NO₃)₂, PbO] was generated by dispersive aerosols generator system (DAGS) and removed from air by reaction loop (RL) / impinger trap (IT) in a liquid phase which was mixed with nano adsorbent in optimized pH. The effect of parameters such as, flow rate, volume of liquid phase, time stirring, temperature, concentration, pH and amount of sorbent (mg) were studied and evaluated by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). In optimized conditions, the adsorption capacity of HS-UVM₇ and NH₂-UVM₇ for Pb(NO₃)₂ aerosols was obtained 255.6 mg g^-1 and 177.6 mg g^-1, respectively which was more than UVM₇. The lead oxides aerosols (PbO) were extracted only by HS-UVM₇ at acidic pH with the adsorption capacity of 271.2 mg g^-1. The characterization of SEM, XRD, TEM, and FTIR showed that the HS-UVM₇ has beneficial surfaces for removal of (Pb (NO₃)₂ and PbO aerosols from the air by SLGPE method at pH = 5. The method validation was confirmed by standard addition and NIOSH method. Graphical abstract.