Functionalized SBA-15 organosilicas as sorbents of zinc(II) ions

SBA-15 nanoporous silicas functionalized with amine-, thiol-, vinyl-, phenyl- and cyano surface groups were synthesized by using the amphiphilic block copolymer P123 as the structure-directing agent. The obtained materials have a well-developed porous structure – the values of specific surface area are in the range 800–950 m2/g and the sizes of cylindrical mesopores are in the range 7.4–8.6 nm. It was established that the size of the mesopores strongly depends even on small amounts of co-monomers co-condensing with TEOS. Adsorption of Zn(II) ions at the SBA-15/NaCl interface was investigated by means of the radioactive isotope tracer technique over the pH range of 3–11. Surface charge density, adsorption density, pH50% and ΔpH10–90% parameters for different concentrations of the carrying electrolyte were evaluated and discussed.