Adsorption of CoCl2, ZnCl2 and CdCl2 on aniline/silica hybrid material obtained by sol–gel method

The hybrid aniline/silica material was obtained by using the sol–gel synthesis. The hybrid material, characterized by FTIR and N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, shows a mesoporous structure. The metal ion adsorption capacity of the material was investigated by using the batch technique with CoCl2, ZnCl2 and CdCl2 in aqueous and ethanol solutions, at room temperature. It was observed that the metal ion adsorption capacity was strongly influenced by the solvent used. It was higher in ethanol than in aqueous solution. The metal adsorption capacity order was CdCl2>ZnCl2>CoCl2 in ethanol solution and the inverse order in aqueous solution.