Dimethoxytriazine-Triazole Linked Mesoporous Silica Hybrid Sorbent for Cationic Dyes Adsorption

Abstract

Organic dye has always been considered one of the most serious water pollutants. Therefore, the great challenge nowadays is to synthesize effective adsorbents for removal of these contaminants. Herein, we prepared successfully a novel sorbent based on dimethoxy-triazine/triazole groups functionalized via a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition click reaction on mesoporous silica SBA-15. The resulting sample denoted DMT-Tr-SBA-15 was characterized by FTIR spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm. The resulting hybrid silica material was applied for the recovery of four cationic dyes in aqueous media. It showed high adsorption efficiency and a fast removal rate. Dye adsorption was monitored versus time; using a 40 mg/L of adsorbent in neutral aqueous solution. The adsorption equilibria were reached within 40 min. The methylene blue adsorption capacity of the functionalized mesoporous silica was found to be 1.848 mmol/g (591 mg/g) at room temperature and pH = 7. These results indicate the great potential of clickable mesoporous silica to diversify the active sites for adsorption, thus demonstrating a significant interest for environmental applications. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].