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 p H,contact time,temperature,and initial metal concentration.The effective initial p H 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.