PNNL

Abstract

The essential trace metal copper has been identified as a pollutant of concern by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) because of its widespread occurrence in the environment, often being found in concentrations capable of causing problems in organisms in that ecosystem. In this work, three different nanoporous sorbents containing chelating diamine functionalities were evaluated for Cu2+ adsorption in natural waters; these sorbents are ethylenediamine functionalized self-assembled monolayers on mesoporous supports (EDA-SAMMS®, SAMMS is a registered trademark of Steward Advanced Materials), ethylenediamine functionalized activated carbon (AC-CH2-EDA), and 1,10-Phenanthroline functionalized mesoporous carbon (Phen-FMC). The pH dependence of Cu2+ sorption and the Cu2+ sorption capacities of sorbents were determined. The Cu2+ adsorption rates and metal ion selectivity of these sorbents were compared to those of commercial sorbents (Chelex-100 ion exchange resin and Darco KB-B activated carbon). All three chelating diamine sorbents showed the excellent Cu2+ removal (~ 95-99%) from river water and sea water over the pH range of 6.0-8.0. Even under acidic conditions (e.g. pH of 3), AC-CH2-EDA and Phen-FMC were able to remove approximately ~49-58% of Cu2+ in sea water. EDA-SAMMS and AC-CH2-EDA demonstrated rapid Cu2+ sorption kinetics (reaching equilibrium within 5 min) and large adsorption capacities (26 and 17 mg Cu/g sorbent, respectively) in sea water. They also showed good selectivity for Cu2+ over other metal ions (e.g. Ca2+, Fe2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+) in sea water.