Modification of palygorskite surface by organofunctionalization for application in immobilization of H3PW12O40

Modified palygorskite with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550) and N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (KH792) were used as adsorbent supports for adsorption of 12-phosphotungstic acid (H3PW12O40, HPW). The effect of some factors, such as adsorbent dosage, contact time, initial HPW concentration and temperature, was investigated. The experimental data were well fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model at all studied temperatures. The physicochemical properties of the solids were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis–simultaneous differential thermal analysis (TGA–SDTA), and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy analysis techniques. The characteristic results indicated that silylated-Pa was a suitable support for adsorption of HPW; and HPW was finely and effectively distributed on silylated-Pa and retained partly strong Bronsted acidity.