Selective Uptake of Ag(I) from Aqueous Solutions Using Ionic Liquid Modified Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

11 March 2020, Version 1
This content is a preprint and has not undergone peer review at the time of posting.

Abstract

Surface functionalized magnetic nanoparticles represent a potentially highly valuable tool for the selective recovery of metals from the aqueous phase, due to their ability to be manipulated and then recovered using an externally applied magnetic field. Ionic liquids are ideal candidates for such surface functionalization for a range of reasons, including their enhanced selectivity, low water consumption and high chemical stability. Herein the removal of Ag+ onto [MTESPIm]+[Cl] on Fe3O4@SiO2 as a function of pH, exposure time, nanosorbent concentration and type of stripping agent has been investigated. Ag+ removal was recorded to fit the Langmuir isotherm indicating monolayer formation, with a saturation capacity of 23.69 mg/g. Moreover, optimum conditions for the selective removal of Ag+ in preference to Cu2+ and Pb2+, were recorded at pH 3, exposure time ranging between 0-15 min and with the highest nanosorbent concentration tested (80 mg/10ml of adsorbate solution). In addition, the most efficient stripping agent for the sorbed Ag+ was determined to be thiourea at 0.6 M. Overall the results indicate that [MTESPIm]+[Cl] on Fe3O4@SiO2 is a highly adaptable and efficient agent for the selective recovery of Ag from the aqueous phase.

Keywords

Selective Ag(I) recovery
Ionic liquid
Iron oxide nanoparticle
Surface functionalization
Soft donor

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