Adsorption characteristics of 2,4-dichorophenoxy acetic acid onto surfactant modified titania nanoparticles

Abstract

The present study investigated adsorption of 2,4-dichorophenoxy acetic acid(2,4-D) on titania (TiO2) nanoparticles with surface modification by cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Titania nanoparticles which were successfully synthesized by sol-gel method, were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Surface modification of TiO2 with CTAB enhanced the removal of 2,4-D significantly. Some effective conditions affect to the removal of 2,4-D using CTAB modified TiO2 such as pH and adsorbent dosage were systematically studied and found to be 5 and 10 mg/mL, respectively. Adsorption mechanisms of 2,4-D onto CTAB modified TiO2 was suggested based on the change in surface charge after adsorption.