Ordered mesoporous organosilica adsorbents for inorganic pollutants removal from water

PEDRO P. MARTIN; SERGIO G. MARCHETTI; NICOLÁS A. FELLENZ

Anales de la Asociación Química Argentina

Asociación de Química Argentina

Lugar: Buenos Aires; Año: 2019 vol. 106 p. 39 - 55

2545-8655

This article reviews the most important contributions on the use of organically modified ordered mesoporous silicas (OMS) for removal of inorganic pollutants from aqueous matrices. First, we briefly discuss the different preparation methods to synthesize this type of nanostructured mesoporous hybrid materials, mentioning the main structural and chemical features than can be obtained. Emphasis is placed on the reports on the application of OMS as adsorbents for environmental remediation purposes, although other fields where this type of nanostructured solid systems are used are also briefly mentioned. Finally, a depth discussion on the synthesis and application of the OMS called MCM-41, its modification with different organic groups, and its performance in the removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions of varied chemical composition is presented. The MCM-41 mesophase is taken as an example to discuss how the particle size and the amount and distribution of organic groups anchored within the mesoporous network affect the performance of these kind of materials as adsorbents. Finally, some possible strategies that seek to improve the stability of the MCM-41 based sorbents for its use in a wide range of operational conditions are mentioned.