SBA-15 with short-sized channels modified with Fe2O3 nanoparticles. A novel approximation of an efficient adsorbent for As removal in contaminated water

The urgent need for technologies to ensure health standards, as per the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations, has prompted research into addressing human health problems associated with chemical contaminants in air, water, and soil. Heavy metals, particularly arsenic, pose significant health risks, with millions of people worldwide exposed to concentrations exceeding recommended limits. Nanostructured materials, including ordered mesoporous substrates such as SBA-15, have shown promise for arsenic removal due to their high surface area and pore characteristics. This study aimed to synthesize a silica mesoporous material with reduced pore channel length to enhance surface area and active sites, thereby improving arsenic removal efficiency. By exploring various surfactant-to-silica precursor ratios, a suitable value was identified to promote the production of shortened SBA-15 particles. These shortened pore channels facilitated the dispersion of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₂O₃) on the SBA-15 surface, resulting in an effective adsorbent that achieved over 95% arsenic removal. The combination of the modified SBA-15 substrate and Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles demonstrated high efficiency in arsenic removal from aqueous effluents, offering a promising solution to address water pollution and associated health risks.