Synthesis and Application of Highly Active Dithiooxamide Functionalised Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Toward Mercury Removal from Aqueous Solution

Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

Highly sensitive and accurate method has been applied for removal of toxic mercury(II) ions
in aqueous solution, using synthesised nanosorbent. Determination of mercury(II) was carried out by flame
atomic absorption spectrometer. A nanosorbent multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) was synthesised
by the reaction of dithiooxamide with functionalised multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Initially, the surface
of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes was oxidised by a mixture of nitric and sulphuric acids and then was
functionalised using thionyl chloride. The ligand has been attached to the multi-walled carbon nanotubes
in somewhat shorter time and lower temperature than previous reported methods. The sorbent was
characterised by Fourier transmission infrared and scanning electron microscopy. In this research study,
the effect of different parameters in removal of mercury(II) ions by nanosorbent, such as pH, amount of
nanosorbent, time and concentration of Hg(II), was investigated. Experiments show that the new MWCNT
with loading amount of 1.02 mmol/g is a powerful sorbent for removing the Hg(II) ions from water.