Evaluating the Efficiency of Modified Silica Gel with N, N'-Ethylenebis (acetylacetone)diamine for Copper (II) Ions Removal in Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

This study evaluated the adsorption capacity of physically modified silica gel (SG), for copper (II) ion using aqueous solutions of N, N’-Ethylenebis(acetylacetone)diamine-C₁₈H₂₈N₂O₄ (EAD). Copper (II) adsorptive efficiency was studied under different experimental conditions and optimized before spectrophotometric analysis using EAD reagent. Results indicated that sorption of Cu(II) was favourable at pH 4, and sample volume of 50 mL, themin^-1. The quantitative recovery of Cu(II) ion was achieved by elution with 5.0 mL of 1.0 molL^-1 HNO₃. Equilibrium data were tested and found to follow the Langmuir isotherm model. Kinetic data fitted well in pseudo-second-order kinetics. These results suggest that modified SG is an excellent metal extractor for the preconcentration of Cu(II) from the spiked aqueous phase. In conclusion, the physically modified silica gel showed a high potential for the removal of copper (II) ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorption capacity was influenced by the concentration of EAD in the solution, with the highest adsorption capacity observed at an EAD concentration of 2 mM. The study provides valuable insights for the development of effective and efficient adsorbents for heavy metal ion removal from wastewater.