Separation Science and Technology, Vol.38, No.11, 2533-2548, 2003
Preparation of functionalized mesostructured silica containing magnetite (MSM) for the removal of copper ions in aqueous solutions and its magnetic separation
The removal of copper ions from an aqueous solution by both adsorption onto mesostructured silica containing magnetite (MSM) and magnetic separation were investigated. Magnetite (core) was used as a magnetic carrier material for magnetic separation, while amine-functionalized mesostructured silica (shell) was used as a heavy metal ion adsorbent. The pore properties, magnetic properties, and phase of the prepared materials were measured by a N-2 sorptometer, a vibration sample magnetometer, and powder x-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. After silica coating, the magnetite-core of the MSMs maintained their magnetic properties. The prepared adsorbent had a large loading capacity for Cu ions; up to 0.5 mmol of Cu per g of adsorbent. The recovery process of the metal ion loaded adsorbents by an electromagnetic force was very rapid and effective.