Mechanochemical synthesis of adsorbents based on silicon oxycarbide composites

Abstract

In the work, an attempt was made to mechanochemically synthesize silicon oxycarbide composites from activated carbon and silica. Structure of the composites was studied using powder X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. Formation of silicon oxycarbides was confirmed by presence of Si-O-C bond. Influence of the raw materials ratio on structural and chemical properties of resulting composites was revealed. With an increase of silica share in the initial mixture, a decrease in specific surface area and pore volume was noted, as well as an increase of the concentration of surface functional groups. Samples of the composites were tested in processes of sorption of methyl orange and fluoride ions. It was established that adsorption capacity for methyl orange decreased, while that for fluoride ions significantly increased comparing to activated carbon.