Silica gel functionalized with 4-phenylacetophynone 4-aminobenzoylhydrazone: Synthesis of a new chelating matrix and its application as metal ion collector

Thermodynamic parameters such as the standard free energy change (ΔG)°, enthalpy change (ΔH°) and entrophy change (ΔS°) were calculated to determine the nature of sorption process. From these parameters, ΔH° were found to be endothermic values: 38.39, 18.0, and 14.7 kJ mol−1 for the same sequence of divalent cations and ΔS° values were calculated to be positive for the sorption of each metal ion onto the modified silica gel. Negative ΔG° values indicated that sorption process for all metal ions were spontaneous in nature although they presented an endothermic enthalpy for the interaction, resulting in an entropically favoured process.