Innovative pyrazole–phosphoramidate derivative for effective mercury adsorption and their application for Egyptian industrial waste samples

Mercury, known for its severe health and environmental impacts even in trace amounts, necessitates effective removal from water systems. This research focuses on preparation of a novel adsorbent of 3,9−bis((4−amino−5−hydroxy−1 H−pyrazol−3−yl)amino)−2,4,8,10−tetraoxa−3,9−diphosphaspiro5.5 undecane 3, 9−dioxide (PADP) for Hg(II) ions adsorption. To validate functionalization steps and elucidate PADP's physical and chemical properties, a comprehensive array of assays, including FTIR, surface area, BET, TGA, 13CNMR, Mass spectra, 31PNMR and1HNMR were employed. The study systematically examined several factors controlling mercury sorption, including temperature, adsorbent dosage, pH, interaction time, and mercury concentration using the batch technique. Optimal sorption effectiveness was achieved at pH 5, with an interaction time of 50 min, an 80 mg adsorbent dose, at ambient temperature. The newly devised adsorbent exhibited an impressive adsorption capacity (qe) of 357 mg of Hg(II) per Litre, with empirical data fitting the Langmuir and Dubinin−Radushkevich adsorption isotherm models. The kinetics of mercury sorption followed second-order and Elovich kinetics models. Thermodynamic aspects, including ΔGº, ΔSº, and ΔHº, were also investigated, providing appreciated perceptions into the energetic dynamics of the sorption process. Thermodynamics has shown that the sorption of mercury ions is both endothermic and spontaneous. Additionally, mercury adsorption in the occurrence of other ions was explored, highlighting the selectivity of the modified Pyrazole – Phosphoramidate adsorbent for mercury removal. PADP demonstrates superior performance in removing Hg(II) from wastewater effluents, outshining a range of both natural and synthetic adsorbents previously used for this purpose. This superiority is evident when comparing its adsorption capacity (qo) against those of other adsorbents, showcasing its exceptional efficacy in purifying water from mercury contamination.