Efficient adsorption of Th(IV) from aqueous solution by modified SBA-15 mesoporous silica

A very effective adsorbent for thorium has been obtained by modification of Santa Barbara Amorphous (SBA-15) using the chelating agent thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA). The prepared adsorbent (SBA-15-TTA) was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), surface area, porosity, and zeta potential analyses. We investigated the factors affecting Th(IV) adsorption on TTA-SBA-15, such as initial pH, contact time, temperature, and initial metal concentration. The effective initial pH for adsorption was found to be 4. The binding sites on TTA-SBA-15 adsorbent were saturated using an initial Th(IV) concentration of 100 mg L-1. The Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm suggested a strong chemical interaction between adsorbent and adsorbate. Contact time and temperature had no significant effect on the adsorption. Therefore, the studies show that TTA-SBA-15 is a promising adsorbent to treat Th(IV)-contaminated effluents.