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Updated: Sep 7, 2025
Soft Lithographic Functionalization and Patterning Oxide-free Silicon and Germanium
Published on: December 16, 2011
A green method for removing chromium (VI) from aqueous systems using novel silicon nanoparticles: Adsorption and
Sajid Mehmood1, Mohsin Mahmood1, Avelino Núñez-Delgado2
1Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570100, China; College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou City, 570100, China.
Abstract:
In the present study, we used the horsetail plant (Equisetum arvense) as a green source to synthesize silicon nanoparticles (GS-SiNPs), considering that it could be an effective adsorbent for removing chromium (Cr (VI)) from aqueous solutions. The characterization of GS-SiNPs was performed via Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The batch test results of Cr (VI) adsorption on GS-SiNPs showed a high adsorption capacity, reaching 87.9% of the amount added. The pseudo-second order kinetic model was able to comprehensively explain the adsorption kinetics and provided a maximum Cr (VI) adsorption capacity (Qe) of 3.28 mg g-1 (R2 = 90.68), indicating fast initial adsorption by the diffusion process. The Langmuir isotherm model fitted the experimental data, and accurately simulated the adsorption of Cr (VI) on GS-SiNPs (R2 = 97.79). FTIR and XPS spectroscopy gave further confirmation that the main mechanism was ion exchange with Cr and surface complexation through -OH and -COOH. Overall, the results of the research can be of relevance as regards a green and new alternative for the removal of Cr (VI) pollution from affected environments.
