SBA-15 with different morphologies applied as adsorbent for emerging contaminants: experimental and molecular...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Emerging contaminants like Bisphenol, Ciprofloxacin, and Losartan pose environmental risks.
• SBA-15, a mesoporous silica material, is investigated for its adsorption capabilities.
• Material morphology can significantly influence adsorption efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the adsorption of Bisphenol, Ciprofloxacin, and Losartan using SBA-15 with diverse morphologies.
• To compare experimental results with molecular simulations.
• To elucidate the adsorption mechanism and kinetics.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of SBA-15 with spherical, hexagonal prism, rice grain, and rod morphologies.
• Adsorption experiments for target contaminants.
• Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) for material characterization.
• Molecular simulations to study adsorbent-adsorbate interactions.
• Kinetic and isotherm modeling (pseudo-first-order, B.E.T. Isotherm).

Main Results:

• Hexagonal prism SBA-15 demonstrated the highest removal efficiency (66.41%) and adsorption capacity (0.068 mmol g⁻¹) for Ciprofloxacin.
• Silanol group proportions varied across different SBA-15 morphologies.
• Adsorption equilibrium was reached at 50 minutes, best described by the pseudo-first-order kinetic model.
• Optimal adsorption occurred at 35°C, fitting the B.E.T. Isotherm model.

Conclusions:

• SBA-15, particularly hexagonal prisms, is effective for removing emerging contaminants.
• Silanol groups play a crucial role in the adsorption mechanism.
• Molecular simulations provide insights into contaminant-adsorbent interactions.