A review with ca. 400 references is provided dealing with the use of mesoporous silica and organically-modified silica-based materials for removal of inorganic and organic pollutants from aqueous solutions. After having briefly discussed the interest of functionalized mesoporous silica for environmental remediation purposes, the various synthetic methods to prepare such nanoengineered adsorbents are described. Then, their application to the removal of heavy metal species, toxic anions, radionuclides, and a wide range of organic pollutants is presented in a comprehensive way with the help of extensive tables and some illustrating figures.

Mesoporous organosilica adsorbents: nanoengineered materials for removal of organic and inorganic pollutants

Adsorption is widely popular for removal of heavy metals due to its low cost, efficiency, and simplicity. The focus of this review will be the use of inorganic adsorbents engineered at the nanoscale. The applicability of iron oxide (hematite, magnetite and maghemite), carbon nanotubes (CNT), and metal oxide based (Ti, Zn) and polymeric nanoadsorbents are examined. The advantages and limitations of the type of nanoadsorbent and its functionality are evaluated. Current developments and next generation adsorbents are also reviewed. Finally, scopes and limitations of these adsorbents will be addressed while investigating the types of metal ions that are harmful.

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2015/ra/c5ra02714d

M. Douglas LeVan

Papers

Binary Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms for ideal adsorbed solutions