SDS modified mesoporous silica MCM-41 for the adsorption of Cu2+, Cd2+, Zn2+ from aqueous systems

SDS-functionalized mesoporous silica MCM-41, was synthesized and used as adsorbent for remediating toxic metal contamination. The new material was applied to capture the heavy metal ions Cu2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+ from synthetic aqueous solutions. The performance of the hybrid adsorbent was quantified with respect to metal ions removal and its regeneration capability. The results show that equilibrium adsorption of Cd2+ can be achieved within 30 min, whereas removing Cu2+ and Zn2+ requires 1 h of exposure. The adsorption capacity is found to depend on the metal ion, with Cu2+ > Cd2+ > > Zn2+. It was found that the solution pH affects performance: stronger adsorption was observed at neutral than at acidic pH. The hybrid adsorbents can be regenerated up to 6 times by using an acid removal technique in solution. The adsorption capacity at the sixth cycle is 70% of that of the pristine materials.