Sensitization of Eu3+ luminescence with titanium(IV) oxide in the composition of nanoparticles in porous glasses

A series of modified porous glasses with a fixed europium content Q(Eu³⁺) = 30 μmol/g and a variable titanium oxide content Q(TiO₂) = 15–375 μmol/g are synthesized. The luminescence properties of the prepared glasses are investigated as a function of the component ratio in the composition of oxide nanoparticles. The specific features of the luminescence quenching in a wet medium are analyzed. It is shown that titanium(IV) oxide substantially sensitizes the photoluminescence of Eu³⁺ ions and shields them against the water adsorption.     

Application of ZnO and TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles coated onto montmorillonite in the presence of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> for efficient removal of cephalexin from aqueous solutions

This study considers the feasibility of uptake of cephalexin, an emerging contaminant, from aqueous solutions by using green local montmorillonite (GLM), montmorillonite coated with ZnO (ZnO/GLM) and montmorillonite coated with TiO₂ (TiO₂/GLM) in the presence of H₂O₂. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out as a function of pH, initial concentration of the cephalexin, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and temperature. Finally, the adsorbents were characterized by XRD, SEM and FTIR analyses. XRD patterns showed dramatic changes in the adsorbents after loading with the nanoparticles, confirming successful placing of the nanoparticles onto GLM. The GLM mineral surface after nanoparticle loading appears to be fully exposed and more porous with irregular shapes in particles diameters of 1-50 microns. FTIR analyses also confirmed dramatic changes in surface functional groups after modification with these nanoparticles. The results showed that the removal efficiency of cephalexin was better at lower pH values. Totally, the removal efficiency increased with increase in adsorbent dosage and contact time and decreased with concentration and temperature increase. The thermodynamics values of ΔG ^o and ΔH ^o revealed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic. In isotherm study, the maximum adsorption capacities (qm) were obtained to be 7.82, 17.09 and 49.26 mg/g for GLM, ZnO/GLM and TiO₂/GLM, respectively. Temkin constant (B _T ) showed that adsorption of cephalexin from solution was exothermic for all three adsorbents.     

Comparison of Cr(VI) Adsorption Using Synthetic Schwertmannite Obtained by Fe3+ Hydrolysis and Fe2+ Oxidation: Kinetics,Isotherms and Adsorption Mechanism

Good sorption properties and simple synthesis route make schwertmannite an increasingly popular adsorbent. In this work, the adsorption properties of synthetic schwertmannite towards Cr(VI) were investigated. This study aimed to compare the properties and sorption performance of adsorbents obtained by two methods: Fe³⁺ hydrolysis (SCH_A) and Fe²⁺ oxidation (SCH_B). To characterise the sorbents before and after Cr(VI) adsorption, specific surface area, particle size distribution, density, and zeta potential were determined. Additionally, optical micrographs, SEM, and FTIR analyses were performed. Adsorption experiments were performed in varying process conditions: pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and initial concentration. Adsorption isotherms were fitted by Freundlich, Langmuir, and Temkin models. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, intraparticle diffusion, and liquid film diffusion models were used to fit the kinetics data. Linear regression was used to estimate the parameters of isotherm and kinetic models. The maximum adsorption capacity resulting from the fitted Langmuir isotherm is 42.97 and 17.54 mg·g⁻¹ for SCH_A and SCH_B. Results show that the adsorption kinetics follows the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Both iron-based adsorbents are suitable for removing Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solutions. Characterisation of the adsorbents after adsorption suggests that Cr(VI) adsorption can be mainly attributed to ion exchange with SO₄²⁻ groups.     

Low cost adsorbents obtained from ash for copper removal

We investigated the utilization of ash and modified ash as a low-cost adsorbent to remove copper ions from aqueous solutions such as wastewater. Batch experiments were conducted to determine the factors affecting adsorption of copper. The influence of pH, adsorbent dose, initial Cu²⁺ concentration, type of adsorbent and contact time on the adsorption capacity of Cu²⁺ from aqueous solution by the batch adsorption technique using ash and modified ash as a low-cost adsorbent were investigated. The optimum pH required for maximum adsorption was found to be 5. The results from the sorption process showed that the maximum adsorption rate was obtained at 300 mg/L when a different dosage of fly ash was added into the solution, and it can be concluded that decreasing the initial concentration of copper ion is beneficial to the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent. With the increase of pH value, the removal rate increased. When the pH was 5, the removal rate reached the maximum of over 99%. When initial copper content was 300 mg/L and the pH value was 5, the adsorption capacity of the zeolite Z 4 sample reached 27.904 mg/g. The main removal mechanisms were assumed to be the adsorption at the surface of the fly ash together with the precipitation from the solution. The adsorption equilibrium was achieved at pH 5 between 1 and 4 hours in function of type of adsorbent. A dose of 1: 25 g/mL of adsorbent was sufficient for the optimum removal of copper ions. For all synthesized adsorbents the predominant mechanism can be described by pseudo-second order kinetics.     

Selective removal mercury (II) from aqueous solution using silica aerogel modified with 4-amino-5-methyl-1,2,4-triazole-3(4H)-thion

Silica aerogel surface modifications with chelating agents for adsorption/removal of metal ions have been reported in recent years. This investigation reported the preparation of silica aerogel (SA) adsorbent coupled with metal chelating ligands of 4-amino-5-methyl-1,2,4-triazole-3(4H)-thion (AMTT) and its application for selective adsorption of Hg(II) ion. The adsorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) measurements, nitrogen physisorption and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Optimal experimental conditions including pH, temperature, adsorbent dosage and contact time have been established. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to analyze the experimental data. The best interpretation for the experimental data given by the Langmuir isotherm equation and the maximum adsorption capacity of the modified silica gel and silica aerogel was 142.85 and 17.24mgg^?1, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters such as Gibbs free energy (ΔG ^o ), standard enthalpy (ΔH ^o ) and entropy change (ΔS ^o ) were investigated. The adsorbed Hg(II) on the SA-AMTT adsorbents could be completely eluted by 1.0M KBr solution and recycled at least four times without the loss of adsorption capacity. The results of the present investigation illustrate that modified silica aerogel with AMTT could be used as an adsorbent for the effective removal of Hg(II) ions from aqueous solution.     

Removal of high-level Fe from aqueous solution using natural inorganic materials: Bentonite (NB) and quartz (NQ)

Decontamination of high-level Fe³⁺ ions from a model aqueous solution using natural inorganic Quartz (NQ) and Bentonite (NB) has been studied. The adsorption equilibrium studies are performed with a constant initial Fe³⁺ ion concentrations (namely 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg.L^-1) and varying adsorbent weight. The adsorption percentages of Fe³⁺ ions increase sharply by increasing adsorbent doses, in which the adsorption percentage of Fe³⁺ using NB (approx. 60%) is found higher than in case of NQ (approx. 40%) in whole adsorption dosages. The maximum adsorption percentages of Fe³⁺ using both adsorbents are achieved within the first 60 minuets, and then desorption process is taken place. As the initial concentration of ions increases the percentage removal using NB decreases, while the adsorption using NQ is less affected by the initial concentration; it is found 40% in whole different initial concentration (50 - 400 mg.L^-1). The best temperature for the maximum adsorption is found 30 - 40°C for both adsorbents. The obtained experimental data has well described by Freundlich isotherm model into both NQ and NB. The Freundlich constant K_f for the adsorption of Fe³⁺ using NB is greater than using of NQ for the initial concentration 400 mg.L^-1. The negative value of ?G° confirms the feasibility of the process and the spontaneous nature of adsorption with a high preference for metal ions to adsorb onto NB (ΔG° = -13.9) more easily than NQ (ΔG° = -13.4).     

Evaluating Cu(II) Removal From Aqueous Solutions with Response Surface Methodology by Using Novel Synthesized CaCO3 Nanoparticles Prepared in a Colloidal Gas Aphron System

Removal of heavy metals from water and wastewaters has recently gained a great deal of attention due to their serious environmental problems. In this study, novel synthesized calcium carbonate nanoparticles, prepared in a colloidal gas aphron (CGA) system, were used as adsorbents for the removal of Cu²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions under different conditions. A developed pseudo-second-order (PSO) model well described the adsorption kinetics of the process. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms have been examined and the maximum adsorption capacity from the Langmuir isotherm equation was found to be 666.67?mg Cu/g adsorbent. The effects of temperature, Cu²⁺ initial concentration, and CaCO₃ dosage on the removal capacity were also investigated using the three-level Box–Behnken experimental design method. The response surface modeling results demonstrated that under certain experimental conditions (i.e., T?=?26°C, [Cu²⁺]?=?200?mg/L, and [CaCO₃]?=?0.5?g/L), maximum removal capacity value (393.52?mg/g) was achieved.     

Polyamine Functionalized Magnetite Nanoparticles as Novel Adsorbents for Cu(II) Removal from Aqueous Solutions

Three novel magnetic adsorbents were synthesized through the immobilization of di-, tri-, and tetraamine onto the surface of silica coated magnetite nanoparticles. The adsorbents were characterized by XRD patterns, FTIR spectroscopy, elemental and thermogravimetric analysis, magnetic measurements, SEM/TEM, EDX spectroscopy, and N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms. Their capacity to remove copper ions from aqueous solutions was investigated and discussed comparatively. The equilibrium data were analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The kinetics was evaluated using the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intra-particle diffusion models. The best interpretation for the equilibrium data was given by the Langmuir isotherm for the tri- and tetraamine functionalized adsorbents, while for the diamine functionalized adsorbent the Freundlich model seemed to be better. The kinetic data were well fitted to the pseudo-second-order model. The overall rate of adsorption was significantly influenced by external mass transfer and intraparticle diffusion. It was observed that the adsorption capacity at room temperature decreased as the length of polyamine chain immobilized on the adsorbent surface increased, the maximum adsorption capacities being 52.3 mg g^?1 for 1,3-diaminopropan functionalized adsorbent, 44.2 mg g^?1 for diethylenetriamine functionalized adsorbent, and 39.2 mg g^?1 for triethylenetetramine functionalized adsorbent. The sorption process proved to be highly dependent of pH. The results of the present work recommend these materials as potential candidates for copper removal from aqueous solutions.     

Removal of UO 2 2+ from aqueous solution using halloysite nanotube-Fe3O4 composite

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were modified with Fe₃O₄ to form novel magnetic HNTs-Fe₃O₄ composites, and the composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The as-obtained results indicated that Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were successfully installed on the surface of HNTs. The adsorption of UO ₂ ²⁺ on HNTs-Fe₃O₄ was investigated as a function of solid content, contact time, pH, ionic strength and temperature by batch experiments. The consequences revealed that the adsorption of UO ₂ ²⁺ onto HNTs-Fe₃O₄ was strongly dependent on pH and ionic strength. Equilibrium data fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm. The experimental results demonstrated that the adsorbents with HNTs-Fe₃O₄ had the largest adsorption capacity of 88.32 mg/g for UO ₂ ²⁺ .     

Application of magnetic polyaniline nanocomposite for separation of uranyl ions from aqueous solutions

Polyaniline (PANI) was synthesized chemically, and then modified with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs). PANI and PANI-Fe₃O₄ NPs were used for removal of uranyl ions (UO₂²⁺) from aqueous solutions using a batch system. The synthesized adsorbents were characterized using FT-IR, SEM, BET and XRD techniques. From isotherm investigation, the maximum adsorption capacities (q_m) were 150.0 and 108.0 mg g^?1 for PANI and PANI-Fe₃O₄NPs, respectively. The kinetics and equilibrium adsorptions were well-described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir model, respectively. Thermodynamic studies depicted that the adsorption of uranyl ions by PANI is a spontaneous exothermic process and in the case of PANI-Fe₃O₄ NPs, adsorption process is endothermic; therefore, the spontaneity is controlled by entropy.     

Reusability and selective adsorption of Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript> on chitosan/P(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-acrylic acid) hydrogel

Reusability and selective adsorption toward Pb²⁺ with the coexistence of Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions on chitosan/P(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid-co-acrylic acid) [CS/P(AMPS-co-AA)] hydrogel, a multi-functionalized adsorbent containing –NH₂, –OH, –COOH and –SO₃H groups was studied. The CS/P(AMPS-co-AA) was prepared in aqueous solution by a simple one-step procedure using glow discharge electrolysis plasma technique. The reusability of adsorbent in HNO₃, EDTA-2Na and EDTA-4Na was investigated in detail. The competitive adsorption of the metal ions at the initial stage was compared between their equal mass concentration and equal molar concentration. In addition, the adsorption mechanism of the adsorbent for adsorption of Pb²⁺ was also analyzed by XPS. The results showed that the optimum pH of adsorption was 4.8, and time of adsorption equilibrium was about 180 min. Adsorption kinetics fitted well in the pseudo second-order model. The equilibrium adsorption capacities of Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Ni²⁺ at pH 4.8 were obtained as 673.3, 358.3, 176.7, 235.0 and 171.7 mg g^?1, in their given order. The adsorbent displayed an excellent reusability using 0.015 mol L^?1 EDTA-4Na solution as the eluent, and the desorption ratio could not correctly reflect the true characteristics of adsorption/desorption process. Moreover, the adsorbent showed good adsorption selectivity for Pb²⁺. The molar adsorption capacity at the initial stage with equal molar concentration was more reliable than the mass adsorption capacity during the study of selective adsorption. According to the XPS results, the adsorption of Pb²⁺ ions by the CS/P(AMPS-co-AA) absorbent could be attributed to the coordination between N atom and Pb²⁺ and ion-exchange between Na⁺ and Pb²⁺.     

Synthesis and adsorption performance of fly ash/steel slag-based geopolymer for removal of Cu (II) and methylene blue

In order to realize the value-added resource utilization of solid waste, geopolymer particle adsorbents were prepared at low temperatures using silica-aluminum-rich fly ash and steel slag powders as raw materials. In order to investigate the mechanism of their adsorption of dyes and heavy metal ions from wastewater, the effects of steel slag/fly ash ratio, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration of methylene blue (MB) and Cu²⁺ solution, adsorption time and temperature on the adsorption performance of the fly ash/steel slag-based geopolymer adsorbents were investigated, systematically. Results presented that the adsorption capacities of MB and Cu²⁺ were 33.30 and 24.15 mg/g, and the removal efficiencies were 99.90% and 96.59% with the dosages of 3 and 4 g/L geopolymer adsorbents (steel slag/fly ash ratio of 20 wt.%), respectively. The adsorption processes of MB and Cu²⁺ on the adsorbents were in accordance with the proposed pseudo-second-order and Langmuir isotherm models, which mainly included physical and chemical adsorption mechanisms. The adsorption was a spontaneous endothermic process. The fly ash/steel slag-based geopolymer had good removal ability for dyes and heavy metal ions, and it could maintain good adsorption performance after three cycles of regeneration. It had potential application in wastewater treatment.     

L-cystein modified bentonite-cellulose nanocomposite (cellu/cys-bent) for adsorption of Cu2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+ ions from aqueous solution

In this study, L-cystein modified bentonite-cellulose (cellu/cys-bent) nanocomposite was synthesized and characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM with EDS, TGA, and TEM techniques. In order to optimize the process the effect of various operational parameters such as pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and temperature were also investigated. The adsorption experiments were carried out in initial concentrations range of 20-100 mg L^?1and the adsorbent affinity for metal ions was found to be in order of Cu²⁺ > Pb²⁺ > Cd²⁺. The optimum pH for adsorption of Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ was observed at 5 while for Pb²⁺ it was pH 6. Based on the Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacity of Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Cd²⁺ at 50^?C was found to be 32.36, 18.52, and 16.12 mg g^?1, respectively. The Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second order model were found to be better fitted than the other isotherms and kinetic models. The results of thermodynamic parameters confirmed the process to be endothermic and spontaneous in nature.     

Removal of concentrated heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions using polymers with enriched amidoxime groups

Particulate and fibrous adsorbents with enriched amidoxime groups were synthesized by using a novel monomer N,N′‐dipropionitrile acrylamide. The adsorption properties of amidoximated poly(N,N′‐dipropionitrile acrylamide) [poly(DPAAm)] particles and a nonwoven fabric grafted with the same for UO₂²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Co²⁺ at high concentrations were investigated by batch process. Metal ion adsorption studies were conducted from metal ion solutions with different initial concentrations (100–1500 ppm). It was shown that particulated amidoximated poly(DPAAm) has higher adsorption capacity than amidoximated nonwoven fabrics for all metal ions, especially for uranyl ions. The results of the adsorption studies showed that the interaction between UO₂²⁺ and amidoximated groups agree with the Langmuir‐type isotherm. From the Langmuir equation, the adsorption capacities were found as 400 mg UO₂²⁺/g dry amidoximated poly(DPAAm) and 250 mg UO₂²⁺/g dry amidoximated graft polymer. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1705–1710, 2004     

Extraction of Uranium and Thorium from Nitric Acid Solution by TODGA in Ionic Liquids

Extraction of uranium (UO₂²⁺) and thorium (Th⁴⁺) from a nitric acid solution into an imidazolium-type ionic liquids (ILs) of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C_nmim][PF₆], n = 6 or 8) was carried out using N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyl-3-oxapentanediamide (TODGA) as an extractant. It was found that the extraction efficiencies of UO₂²⁺ and Th⁴⁺ ions are higher in comparison with that done in n-dodecane. The extraction mechanism was deduced by the slope analysis and extraction experiment. Transfer of both ions is assumed to proceed predominantly through the neutral solvation mechanism from nitric acid solution into ILs. The UO₂²⁺ ion forms a 1:2 complex with TODGA in ILs at lower acidity, and a 1:1 complex in ILs and in n-dodecane at higher acidity. The Th⁴⁺ ion forms a 1:2 complex with TODGA in C₆mimPF₆ IL or a 1:1 complex in C₈mimPF₆ IL at lower acidity and a 1:1 complex in both ILs, and n-dodecane at higher acidity. Stripping studies were conducted using sodium salt of EDTA as a stripping ligand. The thermodynamics of extracting UO₂²⁺ ions and Th⁴⁺ ions from a 3 M HNO₃ solution was also studied. The results indicated that the extraction reactions are spontaneous and go through an exothermic process.     

Comparison of removal of bromothymol blue from aqueous solution by multiwalled carbon nanotube and Zn(OH)2 nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon: A thermodynamic study

In this research Zn(OH)₂ nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon (Zn(OH)₂-NPs-AC) as novel adsorbent and raw multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) were applied for efficient removal of bromothymol blue (BTB). Both adsorbent has been characterized with different techniques such and SEM, XRD and UV–vis spectrometry. Their size was less than 100 nm. In the removal process the variables are pH, temperature, concentration of BTB, amount of adsorbent and contact time that their influence on removal of BTB was optimized using one at a time approach in batch procedure. Adsorptions of BTB on bath adsorbent depend highly on pH. Following the investigation of temperature effect, the thermodynamic parameters including change in entropy, enthalpy and free Gibbs energy were calculated. For both adsorbents, positive value of enthalpy and negative value of ΔG⁰ show routine feasibility of adsorption using energy. At optimum value of variables, the removal processes onto both adsorbent have high adsorption capacity for best fitting model Langmuir, i.e. for Zn(OH)2-NP-AC and 150 mg/g for PAC. The adsorption rates were well explained with pseudo second order and interparticle diffusion model. It is expected that there could an increase in the number of reactive sites due to their expected high volume, pore size and high surface area.     

Adsorption behaviors and mechanism of heavy metals onto attapulgite functionalized by polyamine silane

Pollution from heavy-metal ions has become a major challenge to the global fight against environmental pollution. Given the availability of various low-cost and environmentally friendly adsorbents, adsorption has become the most efficient technology for the removal of heavy metals from water. In this study, attapulgite (ATP) was directly functionalized by coupling with an aminosilane agent. Analysis showed this maneuver provided a suitable adsorbent for the removal of lead ion (Pb²⁺) from an aqueous solution. The effects of several parameters including solution pH, contacting time, adsorbent dosage, and initial Pb²⁺ ion concentration were investigated. Batch sorption results showed that the adsorption process was rapid and over 98% of Pb²⁺ was removed within 30 min at the optimal pH 4.0. The maximum adsorption capacity at 25°C, calculated by the Langmuir isotherm, was 82.17, 78.80, 61.13, and 28.56 mg/g for γ-divinyltriaminepropyl-methyldimethoxylsilane-grafted attapulgite (KH-103-ATP), γ-aminopropyl-methyldiethoxysilane-grafted attapulgite (KH-912-ATP), N-(β-aminoethyl-γ-aminopropyl)-methyl-dimethoxysilane-grafted attapulgite (KH-602-ATP), and ATP, respectively. Moreover, molecular dynamics simulations of adsorption behaviors of heavy-metal ions at attapulgite surfaces (010) modified by aminosilane agents were carried out. Both the PMF value and diffusion coefficient of metal ions suggest that KH-103-ATP owns the highest rate constant and capacity compared with the other two. And the analysis of free energy and results of XPS characterization revealed that Pb²⁺ formed covalent bonds with the nitrogen atom of aminosilane agents.     

Valine-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles: Synthesis,Characterization, and Application in Removal of Cd(II) Ions from Aqueous Solution

A novel Valine coated magnetic nano-particles (MNPs-Val) has been synthesized for the removal of Cd(II) ions from aqueous solution. The MNPs-Val were developed by electrostatic attraction of valine (C₅H₁₁NO₂) on the bare surface of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and characterized by using FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and TEM analysis. The morphology and average particles size 15-27 nm of MNPs-Val were analyzed by SEM and TEM. The coated MNPs were applied for adsorptive removal of Cd(II) ions from aqueous solutions. Factors affecting the adsorption of Cd(II) ions on the MNPs-Val surface such as the pH, temperature, adsorbent dosage, and contact time were investigated which have significant effect on the metal ion removal. The Cd(II) ions adsorption equilibrium on the MNPs-Val could be achieved in 35 min at the optimized pH 5 and follow the pseudo-second order kinetics model. The experimental data for the adsorption of Cd(II) was followed by the Langmuir isotherm and the maximum adsorption capacity was obtained at 0.2 g L^?1 adsorbent dose at 308 K.     

Europium(II) in glasses of the Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-MnO-Eu<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

Triply and doubly charged states of europium are revealed by ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectroscopy in the structure of glasses of the composition (mol %) 19.5Al₂O₃, 31.5SiO₂, 26.5MnO, and 22.5Eu₂O₃. The isomer shifts in the Mössbauer spectra of Eu³⁺ and Eu²⁺ ions in the structure of glasses differ from the isomer shifts in the spectra of the Eu₂O₃ and EuO compounds. This difference is explained by the fact that the electron density at ¹⁵¹Eu nuclei is affected by the manganese and aluminum atoms, which are not bound directly to the europium atoms. The broadening of the spectra of the Eu²⁺ ions in glasses is caused by the nonuniform isomer shift.     

Functionalized hectorite clay mineral for Ag(I) ions extraction from wastewater and preparation of silver nanoparticles supported clay

A novel clay mineral-based adsorbent for Ag(I) ions extraction was obtained by modifying hectorite with 2-(3-(2-aminoethylthio)propylthio)ethanamine (AEPE-hectorite). The modified hectorite was used to recover Ag(I) ions from wastewater for further preparation of silver nanoparticles supported hectorite. The parameters affecting silver ions extraction by AEPE-hectorite were investigated. The adsorbent could extract Ag(I) ions from solution in a wide pH range (1–8) and high extraction efficiencies were achieved in the solution pH ranged from 4 to 9. AEPE-hectorite showed a good selectivity toward Ag(I) ions over Co(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II) ions and the solution ionic strength had no significant effect on extraction efficiency. The adsorption of Ag(I) ions onto AEPE-hectorite followed the Freundlich isotherm model with maximum adsorption capacity observed in the experiment of 49.5 mg g^− 1. The adsorbent was successfully used to recover silver ions from a wastewater containing high concentration of silver and silver nanoparticles supported hectorite was obtained after reducing with NaBH₄. These results show an alternative in the preparation of silver nanoparticles supported clay.