Mattigod S.V., Fryxell G.E., Skaggs R., Parker K.E.
Pacific Northwest National laboratory, US
Keywords: ceramic, functionalization, nanoporus, sorbents
A new class of high-performance nanoporous sorbents has been developed for heavy metal removal that overcomes the deficiencies of existing technologies. These novel materials are created from a combination of synthetic mesoporous ceramic substrates that have specifically tailored pore sizes (2 to 10 nm) and very high surface areas (~1000 m2/g) with self-assembled monolayers of well-ordered functional groups that have high affinity and specificity for specific types of free or complex cations or anions. These sorbents known as SAMMS™ (Self-Assembled Monolayers on Mesoporous Silica) are hybrids of two frontiers in materials science: molecular self-assembly techniques and nanopororous materials. One form of SAMMS™ containing monolayers of mercaptopropyl- trismethoxy silane has shown exceptional sorptive properties for mercury and other soft cations such as silver, cadmium, and lead. Another form of SAMMS™ with a functional monolayer consisting of ethylenediamine-Cu(II) complex (Cu-EDA) specifically adsorbs tetrahedral oxyanions such as arsenate, selenate, molybdate, chromate and pertechnetate even in the presence of high concentrations of sulfate. Separation of actinides can be addressed by SAMMS™ material synthesized with a set of monolayer functionalities consisting of hydroxypyridinones, acetamide and propinamide phosphonates. These nanoporous sorbents offer a better choice for efficient and cost-effective removal contaminants from diverse waste streams.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Technical Proceedings of the 2006 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 1
Published: May 7, 2006
Pages: 355 - 357
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Nanoparticle Synthesis & Applications
ISBN: 0-9767985-6-5