Síntesis de dióxido de titanio para remoción de mercurio

Abstract

Heavy metals, such as mercury (Hg (II)) used in mining activities create an environmental and public health concern because they are highly polluting and toxic to human health. Mercury exposure generates conditions such as neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity that cause symptoms such as memory loss, motor dysfunction and kidney dysfunction, directly affecting the brain and kidneys. Furthermore, the presence of Hg (II) in water causes problems such as bioaccumulation on microorganisms, triggering biomagnification that consolidates another route of contamination. Therefore, the objective of this work was to synthesize titanium dioxide (TiO2) to remove mercury and thus evaluate the adsorption capacity of this nanomaterial. The methodology implemented had an experimental and quantitative approach because the effects resulting from the removal of mercury in aqueous solutions with the application of TiO2 nanoparticles through photocatalysis are evaluated, which involves the manipulation of different variables such as mass of adsorbent, contact time, metal concentration, pH and temperature. The methodology used allowed us to determine which parameters such as adsorbent mass, contact time, initial concentration of Hg (II), pH and temperature can cause significant effects with respect to the adsorption efficiency of the nanomaterial. Finally, it is concluded that the ideal conditions for the adsorption of Hg (II) on the adsorbent are: mass of TiO2=50 mg; contact time = 240 minutes and pH = 5 and 7. On the other hand, it is established that at concentrations greater than 35 mg/L of Hg (II) the adsorbent corresponds to adsorption percentages of less than 75%. And in addition, the temperature evaluated in these ranges do not generate significant effects on mercury adsorption.