Synthesis of N-methylglucamine functionalized calix[4]arene based magnetic sporopollenin for the removal of boron from aqueous environment

The present study deals with the synthesis of new N-methylglucamine functionalized calix[4]arene based magnetic sporopollenin (4) and its application for the removal of boron from aqueous environment. The newly prepared calix[4]arene immobilized material 4 is characterized by SEM, EDS and FT-IR spectroscopy. The sorption efficiency of newly calix[4]arene-based magnetic material 4 for boron from aqueous media was evaluated through the solid-liquid sorption experiments. During the sorption process, various kinds of interactions such as electrostatic repulsion, deprotonation of the hydroxyl groups of sorbent 4, and dissociation of H3BO3 into anions/cations were monitored. The sorption of boron on material 4 is highly pH dependent and significant percent sorption (84%) was achieved at pH = 7.5. The sorption behavior was analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The values of correlation coefficients (R-2) showed that the Langmuir isotherm model found to be best fit. Experimental data revealed that material 4 is an efficient sorbent which can be effectively used for the boron decontamination of aqueous media. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.