Facile synthesis of tri(octyl-decyl) amine-modified biomass carbonaceous aerogel for rapid adsorption and removal of iodine ions

Biomass carbonaceous aerogels (BCA) have shown wide applications for environment and energy. Herein, we present a facile method toward Tri(octyl-decyl) amine-modified BCA (BCA@N235) by using a hydrothermal synthesis and impregnating process. The synthesized BCA@N235 exhibits an excellent adsorption performance for I⁻ ions, and the adsorption equilibrium requires only 2 h, which is faster than most of materials reported previously. In addition, the adsorption process is more consistent with the classic Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models. The maximal adsorption capacity for I⁻ ions is 0.85 mmol/g at the initial pH of 2.0. The adsorption mechanism is further explored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, and corresponding control experiments, and it is proposed that the fast removal of I⁻ ions by BCA@N235 is ascribed to the protonation-induced electrostatic interaction between I⁻ ions and aerogel materials, in addition, a large number of macroporous structure on the surface and internal of BCA@N235 are beneficial to adsorb iodine ions.