Roghieh Fathi - Department of Chemistry, Varamin(Pishva) Branch Islamic Azad University, Varamin, Iran
Ali Moghimi - Department of Chemistry, Varamin(Pishva) Branch Islamic Azad University, Varamin, Iran

An incorporation of 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane groups into siliceous mesopores of MCM-41 & SBA-15 afforded an ordered material with open porosity. This material was prepared via a two-step modification by attachment of an aminopropyl functionality into silica surface. About 1.5 mmol/g of 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane groups was attached to the silica surface. The presence of functional groups in the siloxane structures, able to coordinate metal ions, causes a significant enhancement of this material toward metal ions. The maximum loading of nickel ions from aqueous solution for SBA-15(NH2) was ca.1.52 mmol/g in pH= 6. The relatively weak nickel interaction with aminopropyl ligands made the adsorbent’s regeneration possible under mild conditions via washing The nickel -loaded samples with slightly acidified solution. The regenerated material retained over60% of the initial adsorption capacity

3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane MCM-41, SBA-15, nickel, sol-gel