Amino-modified nanocarbon
(NH2-C) has been widely used
as an adsorbent for transition metal ion adsorption due to its high
specific surface area, high electrical charge, and the ability to
form a coordinate linkage to a transition metal ion. In this work,
NH2-C was successfully synthesized from a mixture of phenol
and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) through solution
plasma processing, which performs both carbonization and amination
simultaneously. This synthesis method eliminates the need to functionalize
carbon with amino groups, as is required in the conventional process.
Our NH2-C shows a better dispersion and a higher number
of amino groups on both the external surface and inner pores, which
enhances the adsorption capacity. The maximum capacities for Cu2+, Zn2+, and Cd2+ adsorption were 144.9,
115.4, and 102.0 mg g–1, respectively. These values
were higher than those of five typical NH2-Cs synthesized
by a conventional process. Based on the adsorption mechanism derived
from adsorption kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic studies, the
transition metal ions were chemisorbed to the surface in a monolayer
endothermically and spontaneously. Moreover, it was found that NH2-C was suitable for use in ten consecutive adsorption–desorption
cycles without significant loss of adsorption capacity.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.