SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ORGANOSILICA ADSORBENTS FOR THE REMOVAL OF SELECTED ORGANIC POLLUTANTS FROM WATER

Abstract

This thesis focuses on synthesizing and characterizing novel organosilica adsorbents tailored to remove organic pollutants from water efficiently. Through a comprehensive synthesis process, Swellable Organically Modified Silica (SOMS) adsorbents were developed, followed by a detailed characterization using various analytical techniques. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed to elucidate the structural and thermal properties of the synthesized adsorbents. The synthesized materials were subsequently evaluated for their efficacy in removing organic pollutants, such as oil/water emulsions and Methylene Blue dye, through column and batch tests. The results demonstrate promising efficiency, with the adsorbents showing considerable potential for addressing water pollution challenges. This work advances sustainable water treatment technologies by providing insights into the design and application of novel Swellable Organically Modified Silica (SOMS) adsorbents for organic pollutant removal.