Thallium removal through adsorption onto ionic liquid-impregnated solid support: influence of the impregnation conditions

This article presents the use of ionic liquid in the removal process of thallium ions using solid–liquid extraction by impregnating ionic liquid (1- n -hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride) onto an inorganic solid support (Florisil). The influence of impregnation was studied in order to improve the adsorption capacity of the material obtained. Impregnation was realized with the help of a rotavapor. Stirring time and temperature used were varied. Ionic liquid-impregnated materials obtained at different conditions of impregnation were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In order to determine the most efficient adsorbent material, the materials obtained were used in the removal process of thallium ions from aqueous solutions, varying the initial concentration of thallium ions and the stirring time used in the adsorption process. It was observed that for the improving the adsorption capacity of the obtained ionic liquid-impregnated material, it is not necessary to increase the stirring time of the impregnation process but to increase the temperature. The experimental data obtained in the adsorption process were fitted with the Langmuir isotherm. Adsorption of thallium ions onto Florisil impregnated with 1- n -hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid corresponds to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model.