Adsorption Performance of Spherical Porous SiO2 on Heavy Metal Cu2+ in Wastewater
Yan-Min Chen, Zhen-Zhen Chen, Bei-Bei Qi, Ye-Xuan Cai, Jia-Meng Li and Yi-Fan Han* Author for corresponding; e-mail address: yanminchen2011@163.com
Volume: Vol.52 No.5 (September 2025)
Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12982/CMJS.2025.075
Received: 5 June 2025, Revised: 10 August 2025, Accepted: 12 August 2025, Published: 12 September 2025
Citation: Chen Y.-M., Chen Z.-Z., Qi B.-B., Cai Y.-X., Li J.-M. and Han Y.-F., Adsorption performance of spherical porous SiO2 on heavy metal Cu2+ in wastewater. Chiang Mai Journal of Science, 2025; 52(5): e2025075. DOI 10.12982/CMJS.2025.075.
Graphical Abstract
Abstract
Spherical porous SiO2 was synthesized via TEOS hydrolysis combined with NaOH etching, and its application in removing heavy metal Cu2+ from wastewater was investigated. The morphology, specific surface area, pore structure, and phase of pre- and post-etching SiO2 were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2 adsorption analyzer, and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. Additionally, detailed studies were conducted on the adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics, as well as the effects of adsorbent dosage, ionic strength, and pH on Cu2+ removal. The results showed that the post-etching SiO2 (denoted as ESP-SiO2) presented a porous nanospherical morphology, with significantly larger specific surface area and pore volume compared to the pre-etching sample. Furthermore, the SiO2 underwent a transformation from an amorphous to a crystalline phase. The adsorption kinetics of Cu2+ onto ESP-SiO2 was well fitted by the pseudo-second-order model, and the adsorption isotherm conformed to the Langmuir model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 172.41 mg/g. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that the adsorption process was spontaneous, exothermic, and accompanied by an increase in entropy. For a 50 mg/L Cu2+ solution, a removal efficiency of 86.5% was achieved when the dosage of ESP-SiO2 was 0.05 g. Moreover, the material exhibited strong resistance to interference from ionic strength (up to 0.1 mol/L), and the optimal pH for adsorption was 5.5. Given its advantages of low cost, simple preparation, and high removal efficiency, ESP-SiO2 holds great application potential in the treatment of heavy metal-containing wastewater.
Related Articles
DOI: 10.12982/CMJS.2026.085.
Mencui Ning and Runhu Zhang*
Vol.53 No.5 (September 2026)Research Article View: 368 Download: 116
DOI: 10.12982/CMJS.2025.034.
Mustafa Jaip Allah Abdelmageed Abualreish
Vol.52 No.3 (May 2025)Research Article View: 797 Download: 318
DOI: 10.12982/CMJS.2025.033.
Anurag Sunpapao, Supaporn Pithakkit and Prisana Wonglom
Vol.52 No.3 (May 2025)Research Article View: 1,450 Download: 417
DOI: 10.12982/CMJS.2025.005.
Susy Yunita Prabawati, Nina Hamidah and Afifah Mufidati
Vol.52 No.1 (January 2025)Research Article View: 1,228 Download: 394
DOI: 10.12982/CMJS.2024.027.
Jiraporn Paoaiang, Prukraya Pongyeela, Nirana Chairerk and Juntima Chungsiriporn
Vol.51 No.2 (March 2024)Research Article View: 2,352 Download: 1,948
DOI: 10.12982/CMJS.2024.010.
Parnuch Hongsawat, Phuri Kalnaowakul and Panida Prarat
Vol.51 No.1 (January 2024)Research Article View: 2,439 Download: 747
DOI: 10.12982/CMJS.2023.064.
Tanaporn Tangtawewipat and Saipin Thanachasai
Vol.50 No.6 (November 2023)Research Article View: 1,616 Download: 610
DOI: 10.12982/CMJS.2023.009.
Kanokwan Darasoon, Supawitch Hoijang, Tanapong Kunakham, Sorapong Janhom, Supon Ananta, Gyu Leem and Laongnuan Srisombat
Vol.50 No.1 (January 2023)Research Article View: 2,102 Download: 1,248
DOI: 10.12982/CMJS.2022.108.
Mauizatul Hasanah, Alfan Wijaya, Risfidian Mohadi, Fitri Suryani Arsyad and Aldes Lesbani
Vol.49 No.6 (November 2022)Research Article View: 2,214 Download: 501
DOI: 10.12982/CMJS.2022.104.
Yingxin Zhao, Hao Hu, Shengyu Zhang, Shiya Feng, Yun Yang, Xiongjian Li and Shuijin Yang
Vol.49 No.6 (November 2022)Research Article View: 2,088 Download: 522
DOI: 10.12982/CMJS.2022.100.
Theeradit Phothitontimongkol and Kanyarak Prasertboonyai
Vol.49 No.6 (November 2022)Research Article View: 2,134 Download: 579
DOI: 10.12982/CMJS.2022.093.
Anan O-Manee, Youichi Enokida and Kayo Sawada
Vol.49 No.5 (September 2022)Research Article View: 2,045 Download: 665
DOI: 10.12982/CMJS.2022.062.
Naphatsarnan Phasukarratchai, Budsarin Yattipat, Parichat Muengkrajang, Sasishai Permpoon and Alissara Reungsang
Vol.49 No.4 (July 2022)Research Article View: 2,233 Download: 1,341
page: 1606 - 1619
Paphawarin Kheownil, Parameat Seesopha, Sawitree Chuaychoocherd, Panichakorn Jaiyong and Yuthana Tantirungrotechai
Vol.48 No.6 (November 2021)Research Article View: 1,854 Download: 957
page: 1645 - 1656
Xuefeng Wang, Hongyan Zhang,Cunbao Deng, Ling Qiao and Shuangli Du
Vol.48 No.6 (November 2021)Research Article View: 1,898 Download: 506
page: 1538 - 1554
Suhua Han, Qiannan Cao, Dongxu Qian, Ye Yang and Minbo Lu
Vol.48 No.6 (November 2021)Research Article View: 1,867 Download: 345
page: 545 - 556
Luna Silaen, Neza Rahayu Palapa, Elfita, Risfidian Mohadi and Aldes Lesbani
Vol.48 No.2 (March 2021)Research Article View: 1,743 Download: 393
page: 520 - 532
Huan Wang*, Wei Zhao, Youning Chen, Xiaoling Yang and Xiaohua Meng
Vol.48 No.2 (March 2021)Research Article View: 1,583 Download: 363
page: 1055 - 1067
Wei Zhao, Youning Chen and Yuhong Li
Vol.47 No.5 (September 2020)Research Article View: 1,728 Download: 438
page: 823 - 828
Atchara Sriboonruang, Tewasin Kumpika, Ekkapong Kantarak, Wattikon Sroila, Pisith Singjai, Narin Lawan, Sairoong Muangpil and Wiradej Thongsuwan
Vol.47 No.4 (Special Issue II : July 2020)Research Article View: 1,567 Download: 1,453
page: 554 - 566
Anitha Devasahayam, Ramadevi Abbai Ramanujam and Seetharaman Ramasamy
Vol.47 No.3 (May 2020)Research Article View: 1,980 Download: 650
page: 137 - 146
Supawitch Hoijang, Jeeranan Nonkumwong, Burapol Singhana, Sunanta Wangkarn, Supon Ananta and Laongnuan Srisombat
Vol.47 No.1 (January 2020)Research Article View: 1,793 Download: 493
page: 127 - 136
Anitha Devasahayam, Ramadevi Abbai Ramanujam and Seetharaman Ramasamy
Vol.47 No.1 (January 2020)Research Article View: 1,745 Download: 1,604
page: 2220 - 2231
Asadullah, Lupong Kaewsichan and Kanogwan Tohdee
Vol.45 No.5 (Special 2018)Research Article View: 1,728 Download: 618
page: 2105 - 2122
Faungchat Thammarakcharoen and Jintamai Suwanprateeb
Vol.45 No.5 (Special 2018)Research Article View: 1,129 Download: 1,034
page: 1486 - 1498
Wenpeng Gong, Xiaogang Du, Xiaoxia Liu, Xiaofen Ke and Shuijin Yang*
Vol.45 No.3 (May 2018)Research Article View: 1,796 Download: 377
page: 1471 - 1485
Muhammad Hamayun*, Sonia Sherazi, Shah Zareen, Abdul Naeem, Muhammad Saeed, Khizar Hussain Shah, Ataf Ali Altaf, Shahzad Murtaza and Muhammad Zubair
Vol.45 No.3 (May 2018)Research Article View: 1,732 Download: 419
page: 1039 - 1051
Duraipandian Jayganesh, Rengasamy Tamilarasan*, Muthiyan Kumar, Mani Murugavelu and Vadivelu Sivakumar
Vol.45 No.2 (March 2018)Research Article View: 1,836 Download: 350
page: 1601 - 1610
Yao Zhao*, Chen Zhao, Kelly Hill and Xun Qian Xu
Vol.44 No.4 (October 2017)Research Article View: 1,712 Download: 318
page: 1028 - 1039
Adekola F.A.*, Orimolade B.O.** and Adebayo G.B.
Vol.44 No.3 (July 2017)Research Article View: 1,766 Download: 418
page: 508 - 517
Muhammad Abbas Ahmad Zaini* [a,b] and Noor Yuhana Jusoh [b]
Vol.44 No.2 (April 2017)Research Article View: 1,667 Download: 271
page: 591 - 599
Suwichak Phutthapatimok [a,b], Pattaraporn Sridechparsat [a,b], Pramoch Rangsunvigit* [a,b] and Santi Kulprathipanja [c]
Vol.43 No.3 (APRIL 2016)Research Article View: 1,802 Download: 350
page: 183 - 194
Arumugam Basker[a]*, Syed shabudeen[b], Appavoo Ponnuraju Shekhar[c] and Savarimuthu Daniel[b]
Vol.43 No.1 (JANUARY 2016)Research Article View: 1,676 Download: 290
page: 1230 - 1240
Morteza Bahram, Robabeh Talebi, Abdolhossein Naseri* , Sirous Nouri
Vol.41 No.5/2 (OCTOBER 2014)Research Article View: 1,636 Download: 540
page: 1262 - 1273
Jeatana Wongwichien [a], Suwimol Asavapisit [a] and Kwannate Sombatsompop* [b]
Vol.41 No.5/2 (OCTOBER 2014)Research Article View: 1,640 Download: 280
page: 56 - 62
Achanai Buasri, Phetcharat Yongbut, Nattawut Chaiyut and Kittiya Phattarasirichot
Vol.35 No.1 (JANUARY 2008)Research Article View: 1,670 Download: 357