A novel bifunctional
mesoporous organosilica, PEG-functionalized
bis-prolinium chloride bridged mesoporous organosilica (BPBMO) was
synthesized by reacting the precursor, PEG-functionalized bis-prolinium
chloride bridged organosilane (BPRIL) with tetraethyl orthosilicate
(TEOS) in the presence of surfactant. The chemical conformation of
BPBMO was investigated by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR),
thermogravimentric analysis (TGA), 13C, and 29Si cross-polarization/magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) NMR techniques.
The characterization represents PEG-linked-prolinium (−N+Cl–) and carboxyl (−COOH) entities,
constructing the dicationic framework through siloxane (Si–O–Si)
linkages. The pore-wall distribution and the periodicity of BPBMO
retained during the synthesis were examined by small-angle X-ray scattering
(SAXS), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller-Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BET-BJH), and
transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The results revealed
BPBMO as a spherical shaped solid (50–100 nm) having mesopore
channels hexagonally arranged with interparticle porosity (S
BET = 487 m2/g and D
BJH = 5.1 nm). The material has provided active binding
sites for the simultaneous removal of NO3
– and Pb2+ ions when introduced in the aqueous solutions
of Pb(NO3)2 (50 mg/L, pH 6). The removal of
NO3
– by ion-exchange with prolinium (−N+Cl–) entities and the electrostatic interaction
of Pb2+ with carboxylate (−COO–) group were characterized by using Raman spectroscopy, ion chromatography,
and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) technique. The maximum
removal of NO3
– and Pb2+ ions
were achieved within 1 h of the adsorption reaction. The adsorption
has followed the Langmuir isotherm model with the adsorption capacities
(q
m) of 23.04 and 21.92 mg/g for NO3
– and Pb2+ ions, respectively.
The efficiency of the adsorbent was also compared with other adsorbents.
Further, the BPBMO material has depicted three consecutive adsorption/desorption
cycles with negligible loss in the structural conformation.