Effect of Silica Content in a Bio-Polymeric Blended Nanocomposite for Efficient Adsorption of Mercury in Basic Aqueous Solution

A. Tshikovhi; Shivani B. Mishra; Ajay K. Mishra; Tshwafo E. Motaung

doi:10.1007/s12221-025-00854-y

Effect of Silica Content in a Bio-Polymeric Blended Nanocomposite for Efficient Adsorption of Mercury in Basic Aqueous Solution

A. Tshikovhi^*
, Shivani B. Mishra
, Ajay K. Mishra
, Tshwafo E. Motaung

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The current work describes the development of silica chitosan-guar gum blended nanocomposites (NCs) for the proficient removal of mercury (Hg²⁺) ions in aqueous solution at pH 12. The silica NCs were prepared by dispersing the as-synthesized silica nanoparticles (NPs) into the chitosan-guar gum (CS-GG) polymer blend matrix. The developed silica NCs were characterized by FTIR, SEM–EDS, XRD, TGA, and BET. The results confirmed the dispersion of silica NPs on the surface of the CS: GG blend resulting in silica NCs with improved thermal stability, and an enhanced specific pore surface area from 11.843 m²/g to 23.029 m²/g. The 2 and 5% silica NCs were used as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of mercury ions. The 2 and 5% of silica NCs showed a maximum removal efficiency of 88% and 79% for mercury ions, respectively. The adsorption process is best fitted with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorbent proved to be economical with 72% of removal efficiency after five cycles using EDTA as a desorbing solution.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	521-535
Number of pages	15
Journal	Fibers and Polymers
Volume	26
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s12221-025-00854-y
Publication status	Published - Feb 2025
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Adsorption
Mercury ions
Nanocomposites
Nanoparticles
Silica

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10.1007/s12221-025-00854-y

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title = "Effect of Silica Content in a Bio-Polymeric Blended Nanocomposite for Efficient Adsorption of Mercury in Basic Aqueous Solution",

abstract = "The current work describes the development of silica chitosan-guar gum blended nanocomposites (NCs) for the proficient removal of mercury (Hg2+) ions in aqueous solution at pH 12. The silica NCs were prepared by dispersing the as-synthesized silica nanoparticles (NPs) into the chitosan-guar gum (CS-GG) polymer blend matrix. The developed silica NCs were characterized by FTIR, SEM–EDS, XRD, TGA, and BET. The results confirmed the dispersion of silica NPs on the surface of the CS: GG blend resulting in silica NCs with improved thermal stability, and an enhanced specific pore surface area from 11.843 m2/g to 23.029 m2/g. The 2 and 5\% silica NCs were used as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of mercury ions. The 2 and 5\% of silica NCs showed a maximum removal efficiency of 88\% and 79\% for mercury ions, respectively. The adsorption process is best fitted with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorbent proved to be economical with 72\% of removal efficiency after five cycles using EDTA as a desorbing solution.",

keywords = "Adsorption, Mercury ions, Nanocomposites, Nanoparticles, Silica",

author = "A. Tshikovhi and Mishra, \{Shivani B.\} and Mishra, \{Ajay K.\} and Motaung, \{Tshwafo E.\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2025.",

year = "2025",

month = feb,

doi = "10.1007/s12221-025-00854-y",

language = "English",

volume = "26",

pages = "521--535",

journal = "Fibers and Polymers",

issn = "1229-9197",

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}

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T1 - Effect of Silica Content in a Bio-Polymeric Blended Nanocomposite for Efficient Adsorption of Mercury in Basic Aqueous Solution

AU - Tshikovhi, A.

AU - Mishra, Shivani B.

AU - Mishra, Ajay K.

AU - Motaung, Tshwafo E.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2025.

PY - 2025/2

Y1 - 2025/2

N2 - The current work describes the development of silica chitosan-guar gum blended nanocomposites (NCs) for the proficient removal of mercury (Hg2+) ions in aqueous solution at pH 12. The silica NCs were prepared by dispersing the as-synthesized silica nanoparticles (NPs) into the chitosan-guar gum (CS-GG) polymer blend matrix. The developed silica NCs were characterized by FTIR, SEM–EDS, XRD, TGA, and BET. The results confirmed the dispersion of silica NPs on the surface of the CS: GG blend resulting in silica NCs with improved thermal stability, and an enhanced specific pore surface area from 11.843 m2/g to 23.029 m2/g. The 2 and 5% silica NCs were used as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of mercury ions. The 2 and 5% of silica NCs showed a maximum removal efficiency of 88% and 79% for mercury ions, respectively. The adsorption process is best fitted with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorbent proved to be economical with 72% of removal efficiency after five cycles using EDTA as a desorbing solution.

AB - The current work describes the development of silica chitosan-guar gum blended nanocomposites (NCs) for the proficient removal of mercury (Hg2+) ions in aqueous solution at pH 12. The silica NCs were prepared by dispersing the as-synthesized silica nanoparticles (NPs) into the chitosan-guar gum (CS-GG) polymer blend matrix. The developed silica NCs were characterized by FTIR, SEM–EDS, XRD, TGA, and BET. The results confirmed the dispersion of silica NPs on the surface of the CS: GG blend resulting in silica NCs with improved thermal stability, and an enhanced specific pore surface area from 11.843 m2/g to 23.029 m2/g. The 2 and 5% silica NCs were used as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of mercury ions. The 2 and 5% of silica NCs showed a maximum removal efficiency of 88% and 79% for mercury ions, respectively. The adsorption process is best fitted with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorbent proved to be economical with 72% of removal efficiency after five cycles using EDTA as a desorbing solution.

KW - Adsorption

KW - Mercury ions

KW - Nanocomposites

KW - Nanoparticles

KW - Silica

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85217230070

U2 - 10.1007/s12221-025-00854-y

DO - 10.1007/s12221-025-00854-y

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85217230070

SN - 1229-9197

VL - 26

SP - 521

EP - 535

JO - Fibers and Polymers

JF - Fibers and Polymers

IS - 2

ER -

Effect of Silica Content in a Bio-Polymeric Blended Nanocomposite for Efficient Adsorption of Mercury in Basic Aqueous Solution

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Keywords

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