Silica surface modified by aliphatic amines as effective copper complexing agents

Abstract

AbstractSilica surface was modified with four aliphatic acyclic amines differing in the number of nitrogen donor atoms and the chain length. The structures of the four systems were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Three of the systems studied were found to show excellent scavenging of copper ions and relatively weaker of nickel ions from the water solutions. The complexing abilities were monitored by ultraviolet and visible measurements. Standard colorimetric methods of element determination were used to observe the absorbance decrease at the maximum wavelength in the presence of the compounds studied. The influence of pH of the aqueous solution, the amount of modified silica, the stirring time and the selectivity with respect to other metal ions was investigated.