Insight into the adsorption behavior and mechanism of trace impurities from H₂O₂ solution on functionalized zirconia by tuning the structure of amino groups

Abstract

Primary, secondary and tertiary amino-functionalized zirconia (ZrO₂−NH₂, ZrO₂−NH and ZrO₂−N) was synthesized by the postgrafting method for the adsorption removal of typical metallic ions, phosphate and total oxidizable carbon from a real H₂O₂ solution. ZrO₂−NH₂, ZrO₂−NH and ZrO₂−N exhibited similar pore sizes and sequentially increased zeta potentials. The adsorption results of single and binary simulated solutions showed that the removal efficiency increased in the order of Fe³⁺ > Al³⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Na⁺. There is competitive adsorption between metallic ions, and Fe³⁺ has an advantage over the other metals, with a removal efficiency of 90.7%. The coexisting phosphate could promote the adsorption of metallic ions, while total oxidizable carbon had no effect on adsorption. The adsorption results of the real H₂O₂ solution showed that ZrO₂−NH₂ exhibited the best adsorption affinity for metallic ions, as did phosphate and total oxidizable carbon, with a total adsorption capacity of 120.9 mg·g^–1. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the adsorption process of metallic ions involves electron transfer from N atoms to metals and the formation of N-metal bonds.

Key words： adsorption; metallic ion; phosphate; total oxidizable carbon; zirconia; H₂O₂

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the State Key Laboratory of Safety and Control for Chemicals (10010104-19-ZC0613-0180).

Electronic Supplementary Material

Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at http://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-024-2415-3 and is accessible for authorized users.

References

1 Li H B , Zheng B , Pan Z Y , Zong B N , Qiao M H . Advances in the slurry reactor technology of the anthraquinone process for H₂O₂ production. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2018, 12(1): 124–131

2 Yuan E X , Ren X W , Wang L , Zhao W T . A comparison of the catalytic hydrogenation of 2-amylanthraquinone and 2-ethylanthraquinone over a Pd/Al₂O₃ catalyst. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2017, 11(2): 177–184

3 Abejón R , Garea A , Irabien A . Optimum design of reverse osmosis systems for hydrogen peroxide ultrapurification. AIChE Journal. American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2012, 58(12): 3718–3730

4 Zhang Y , Zhang C Y , Liu G Z , Wang L , Pan Z Y . Ce-doped SBA-15 supported Pd catalyst for efficient hydrogenation of 2-ethyl-anthraquinone. Applied Surface Science, 2023, 616: 156515

5 Zhang F , Chen M , Jia X W , Xu W , Shi N . Research on the effect of resin on the thermal stability of hydrogen peroxide. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 2019, 126: 1–6

6 Abejón R , Garea A , Irabien A . Effective lifetime study of commercial reverse osmosis membranes for optimal hydrogen peroxide ultrapurification processes. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2013, 52(48): 17270–17284

7 Lin Q , Jiang Y B , Geng J M , Qian Y . Removal of organic impurities with activated carbons for ultra-pure hydrogen peroxide preparation. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2008, 139(2): 264–271

8 Wang Y T , Zhang Y , Wang L . Simultaneous removal of total oxidizable carbon, phosphate and various metallic ions from H₂O₂ solution with amino-functionalized zirconia as adsorbents. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2023, 17(4): 470–482

9 Alharbi N S , Hu B W , Hayat T , Rabah S O , Alsaedi A , Zhuang L , Wang X K . Efficient elimination of environmental pollutants through sorption-reduction and photocatalytic degradation using nanomaterials. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2020, 14(6): 1124–1135

10 Akbari A , Arsalani N , Eftekhari-Sis B , Amini M , Gohari G , Jabbari E . Cube-octameric silsesquioxane (POSS)-capped magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for the efficient removal of methylene blue. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2019, 13(3): 563–573

11 Ouni L , Ramazani A , Taghavi Fardood S . An overview of carbon nanotubes role in heavy metals removal from wastewater. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2019, 13(2): 274–295

12 Wang B X , Wu K Y , Liu T H , Cheng Z K , Liu Y , Liu Y F , Niu Y Z . Feasible synthesis of bifunctional polysilsesquioxane microspheres for robust adsorption of Hg(II) and Ag(I): behavior and mechanism. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2023, 442: 130121

13 Lang L P , Wang B X , Liu T H , Wang J X , Zhu L L , Liu Y F , Niu Y Z . Homogeneous synthesis of schiff base modified PAMAM dendrimers/silica for efficient adsorption of Hg(II). Chemical Engineering Journal, 2023, 477: 147310

14 Luan L P , Tang B T , Liu Y F , Wang A L , Zhang B B , Xu W L , Niu Y Z . Selective capture of Hg(II) and Ag(I) from water by sulfur-functionalized polyamidoamine dendrimer/magnetic Fe₃O₄ hybrid materials. Separation and Purification Technology, 2021, 257: 117902

15 Koong L F , Lam K F , Barford J , McKay G . A comparative study on selective adsorption of metal ions using aminated adsorbents. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2013, 395: 230–240

16 Shahrokhi-Shahraki R , Benally C , El-Din M G , Park J . High efficiency removal of heavy metals using tire-derived activated carbon vs commercial activated carbon: insights into the adsorption mechanisms. Chemosphere, 2021, 264: 128455

17 Pan J W , Gao B Y , Guo K Y , Gao Y , Xu X , Yue Q Y . Insights into selective adsorption mechanism of copper and zinc ions onto biogas residue-based adsorbent: theoretical calculation and electronegativity difference. Science of the Total Environment, 2022, 805: 150413

18 Jiang X , Su S , Rao J , Li S J , Lei T , Bai H P , Wang S X , Yang X J . Magnetic metal-organic framework (Fe₃O₄@ZIF-8) core-shell composite for the efficient removal of Pb(II) and Cu(II) from water. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2021, 9(5): 105959

19 Cao Y , Hu X , Zhu C Q , Zhou S X , Li R , Shi H L , Miao S Y , Vakili M , Wang W , Qi D L . Sulfhydryl functionalized covalent organic framework as an efficient adsorbent for selective Pb(II) removal. Colloids and Surfaces. A, Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2020, 600: 125004

20 Yan Y P , Wan B , Mansor M , Wang X M , Zhang Q , Kappler A , Feng X H . Co-sorption of metal ions and inorganic anions/organic ligands on environmental minerals: a review. Science of the Total Environment, 2022, 803: 149918

21 Ren X M , Tan X L , Hayat T , Alsaedi A , Wang X K . Co-sequestration of Zn(II) and phosphate by gamma-Al₂O₃: from macroscopic to microscopic investigation. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2015, 297: 134–145

22 Lam K F , Yeung K L , McKay G . Selective mesoporous adsorbents for Cr₂O₇^2– and Cu²⁺ separation. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 2007, 100(1−3): 191–201

23 Antelo J , Arce F , Fiol S . Arsenate and phosphate adsorption on ferrihydrite nanoparticles. Synergetic interaction with calcium ions. Chemical Geology, 2015, 410: 53–62

24 Zhai M D , Fu B M , Zhai Y H , Wang W J , Maroney A , Keller A A , Wang H T , Chovelon J M . Simultaneous removal of pharmaceuticals and heavy metals from aqueous phase via adsorptive strategy: a critical review. Water Research, 2023, 236: 119924

25 Yao N , Li C , Yu J Y , Xu Q Q , Wei S Y , Tian Z Q , Yang Z , Yang W B , Shen J . Insight into adsorption of combined antibiotic-heavy metal contaminants on graphene oxide in water. Separation and Purification Technology, 2020, 236: 116278

26 Stein A , Melde B J , Schroden R C . Hybrid inorganic-organic mesoporous silicates-nanoscopic reactors coming of age. Advanced Materials, 2000, 12(19): 1403–1419

27 Yokoi T , Yoshitake H , Tatsumi T . Synthesis of amino-functionalized MCM-41 via direct co-condensation and post-synthesis grafting methods using mono-, di- and tri-amino-organoalkoxysilanes. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 2004, 14(6): 951–957

28 Liu X M , Bai S F , Zhuang H D , Yan Z F . Preparation of Cu/ZrO₂ catalysts for methanol synthesis from CO₂/H₂. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2012, 6(1): 47–52

29 Su Y , Cui H , Li Q , Gao S A , Shang J K . Strong adsorption of phosphate by amorphous zirconium oxide nanoparticles. Water Research, 2013, 47(14): 5018–5026

30 Bao S Y , Yang W W , Wang Y J , Yu Y S , Sun Y Y , Li K F . PEI grafted amino-functionalized graphene oxide nanosheets for ultrafast and high selectivity removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions by adsorption combined with reduction: behaviors and mechanisms. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2020, 399: 125762

31 Lv S W , Liu J M , Li C Y , Zhao N , Wang Z H , Wang S . A novel and universal metal-organic frameworks sensing platform for selective detection and efficient removal of heavy metal ions. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2019, 375: 122111

32 Bahalkeh F , Habibi Juybari M , Zafar Mehrabian R Z , Ebadi M . Removal of brilliant red dye (Brilliant Red E-4BA) from wastewater using novel chitosan/SBA-15 nanofiber. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2020, 164: 818–825

33 Shen J , Cao F , Liu S Q , Wang C J , Chen R G , Chen K . Effective and selective adsorption of uranyl ions by porous polyethylenimine-functionalized carboxylated chitosan/oxidized activated charcoal composite. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2022, 16(3): 408–419

34 Li F L , Chen C , Wang Y D , Li W P , Zhou G L , Zhang H Q , Zhang J , Wang J T . Activated carbon-hybridized and amine-modified polyacrylonitrile nanofibers toward ultrahigh and recyclable metal ion and dye adsorption from wastewater. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2021, 15(4): 984–997

35 Park J A , Kang J K , Jung S M , Choi J W , Lee S H , Yargeau V , Kim S B . Investigating microcystin-LR adsorption mechanisms on mesoporous carbon, mesoporous silica, and their amino-functionalized form: surface chemistry, pore structures, and molecular characteristics. Chemosphere, 2020, 247: 125811

36 Liu W Y , Liu X Q , Chang J M , Jiang F , Pang S S , Gao H J , Liao Y W , Yu S . Efficient removal of Cr(VI) and Pb(II) from aqueous solution by magnetic nitrogen-doped carbon. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2021, 15(5): 1185–1196

37 Zhao Y M , Shan X C , An Q D , Xiao Z Y , Zhai S R . Interfacial integration of zirconium components with amino-modified lignin for selective and efficient phosphate capture. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2020, 398: 125561

38 Liu Y L , Xu J , Cao Z , Fu R Q , Zhou C C , Wang Z N , Xu X H . Adsorption behavior and mechanism of Pb(II) and complex Cu(II) species by biowaste-derived char with amino functionalization. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2020, 559: 215–225

39 Wang X , Zhang Z Z , Zhao Y H , Xia K , Guo Y F , Qu Z , Bai R B . A mild and facile synthesis of amino functionalized CoFe₂O₄@SiO₂ for Hg(II) removal. Nanomaterials, 2018, 8(9): 673

40 Yakout S M , Hassan H S . Adsorption characteristics of sol gel-derived zirconia for cesium ions from aqueous solutions. Molecules, 2014, 19(7): 9160–9172

41 Vishnu D , Dhandapani B , Vaishnavi G , Preethi V . Synthesis of tri-metallic surface engineered nanobiochar from cynodon dactylon residues in a single step-batch and column studies for the removal of copper and lead ions. Chemosphere, 2022, 286: 131572

42 Adly M S , El-Dafrawy S M , Ibrahim A A , El-Hakam S A , El-Shall M S . Efficient removal of heavy metals from polluted water with high selectivity for Hg(II) and Pb(II) by a 2-imino-4-thiobiuret chemically modified MIL-125 metal-organic framework. RSC Advances, 2021, 11(23): 13940–13950

43 Li W , Zhang S Z , Shan X Q . Surface modification of goethite by phosphate for enhancement of Cu and Cd adsorption. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2007, 293(1−3): 13–19

44 Kecht J , Schlossbauer A , Bein T . Selective functionalization of the outer and inner surfaces in mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Chemistry of Materials, 2008, 20(23): 7207–7214

45 Mozaffari Majd M , Kordzadeh-Kermani V , Ghalandari V , Askari A , Sillanpaa M . Adsorption isotherm models: a comprehensive and systematic review (2010–2020). Science of the Total Environment, 2022, 812: 151334

46 He Y X , Zhang L M , An X , Wan G P , Zhu W J , Luo Y M . Enhanced fluoride removal from water by rare earth (La and Ce) modified alumina: adsorption isotherms, kinetics, thermodynamics and mechanism. Science of the Total Environment, 2019, 688: 184–198

47 Mokrzycki J , Fedyna M , Marzec M , Szerement J , Panek R , Klimek A , Bajda T , Mierzwa-Hersztek M . Copper ion-exchanged zeolite X from fly ash as an efficient adsorbent of phosphate ions from aqueous solutions. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2022, 10(6): 108567

48 Gutiérrez Moreno J J , Pan K , Wang Y , Li W J . Computational study of APTES surface functionalization of diatom-like amorphous SiO₂ surfaces for heavy metal adsorption. Langmuir, 2020, 36(20): 5680–5689

49 Lam K F , Fong C M , Yeung K L , McKay G . Selective adsorption of gold from complex mixtures using mesoporous adsorbents. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2008, 145(2): 185–195

50 Efome J E , Rana D , Matsuura T , Lan C Q . Effects of operating parameters and coexisting ions on the efficiency of heavy metal ions removal by nano-fibrous metal-organic framework membrane filtration process. Science of the Total Environment, 2019, 674: 355–362