Synthesis of biosourced silica-Ag nanocomposites and amalgamation reaction with mercury in aqueous solutions

Seitkhan Azat, Elizabeth Arkhangelsky, Thanasis Papathanasiou, Antonis A. Zorpas, Askar Abirov, Vassilis J. Inglezakis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper focuses on the synthesis of a new silver nanocomposite adsorbent derived from rice husk as raw material. The synthesis is based on triethoxysilane chemistry and the reduction of silver without the aid of reductant chemicals. The derived AgNPs@SiO2 nanocomposites are fully characterized and then used for the removal of mercury (II) from aqueous solutions. The results demonstrated that the affinity of the composite for mercury is high and the removal mechanism is adsorption accompanied by a redox reaction between mercury and silver followed by the formation of calomel and amalgams between silver and mercury. The silver-mercury reaction is complex, and its stoichiometry seems to scale with the silver content. Besides the importance of the surface reactions, the successful implementation of biosourced silica for mercury removal from water is useful for the development of strategies for the valorization of agricultural waste and boosts the concept of circular economy and bioeconomy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)77-92
Number of pages16
JournalComptes Rendus Chimie
Volume23
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 1 2020

Keywords

  • Amalgamation
  • Biosourced silica
  • Mercury
  • Nanocomposites
  • Rice husk silica
  • Silicon hydride
  • Silver nanoparticles

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering

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