LAUSR

Abstract Gemini surfactants with different alkyl chain lengths, [C16H33 N+ (CH3)2 CH2]2•2Br− (G16-2-16), [C12H25 N+ (CH3)2 CH2]2•2Br− (G12-2-12), and [C8H17 N+ (CH3)2 CH2]2•2Br− (G8-2-8), were applied to modify Silica nanosheets (SiNSs). FT-IR, XRD, TG, SEM, TEM, BET and Zeta potentials were carried out to study the surface and structure of the resultant organo silica nanosheets (organo-SiNSs). The loading amounts of G16-2-16, G12-2-12, and G8-2-8 were 0.23, 0.14, and 0.09 mmol for 1 g SiNSs, respectively, suggesting the increased length of the alkyl chain promoted the modification process. Organo-SiNSs exhibited rapid adsorption property (within 5 min) and high adsorption capacity (64.19 mg g−1) toward ibuprofen (IBP) at such a low surfactant concentration (0.42 mmol for 1 g SiNSs), and can be regenerated at least for 3 cycles. Furthermore, the longer the alkyl chain, the more IBP removed, the adsorption capacities of three organo-SiNSs decreased in the order G16-2-16-SiNSs (64.19 mg g−1) > G12-2-12-SiNSs (40.14 mg g−1) > G8-2-8-SiNSs (4.84 mg g−1). Moreover, electrostatic interaction as well as the partition effect plays an important role in the adsorption. Based on the fast adsorption and cost-effective feature, organo-SiNSs were further proved to be outstanding adsorbents for specific organics removal.