Perchlorate removal in aqueous solutions using periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs) functionalized with quaternary ammonium groups

Perchlorate anion (ClO₄^-) in water has become an environmental issue of concern because it can impair proper functioning of the thyroid gland. For the removal of perchlorate anions from water, adsorption using anionexchange resins has been generally used as the most suitable method. In this work, we prepared periodic mesoporous organosilica materials (PMOs) functionalized with quaternary ammonium ligands, and used them for the removal of perchlorate anions from aqueous solutions. The physical and chemical properties of prepared samples were measured using nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurement, elemental analyses, X-ray diffractometer, and infrared spectrometer. We also investigated equilibrium isotherms for the measurement of adsorption capacities and kinetic performance of the prepared samples.