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In this study, amino-functionalized magnetic particles (iron oxide@SiO2-NH2) with core-shell structures were synthesized and evaluated for rapid boron removal from aqueous solutions. The results showed that the specific surface area of the iron oxide@SiO2-NH2 (131.24 m2⋅g−1) increased greatly compared to pure iron oxide (30.98 m2⋅g−1). The adsorption equilibrium was less than 2 h, with an adsorption capacity of 29.76 mg⋅g−1 at pH = 6 at 15 °C. The quasi-second-order kinetic model described the boron adsorption process well, and both the Langmuir and Freundlich models were suitable for characterizing the adsorption isotherms. The zeta potential and XPS analysis before and after adsorption revealed that the main adsorption mechanism was the hydrogen bonding formation between the terminal -NH2 groups of the adsorbent and the boric acid. In addition, the adsorbent still maintained a high adsorption performance after five adsorption–desorption cycles, which illustrated that the iron oxide@SiO2-NH2 may be a potential adsorbent for environmental boron removal treatment.

Measurements of the solubility and metastable zone width (MZW) of borax decahydrate in sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide aqueous were obtained. The onsets of nucleation were detected by the turbidity technique with the temperature range from 285 to 315 K. The results showed that the solubility of borax gradually decreased and the MZW broadened with the mass percentage of sodium carbonate increasing from 0% up to 9.22%. Correspondingly, the solubility and MZW had the same trend with the addition of sodium hydroxide. Meanwhile, the nucleation parameters of borax were determined and analysed to explain the trends obtained. Applying the classical three-dimensional nucleation theory approach, it was found that the addition of carbonate and hydroxide ions led to the values of solid–liquid interfacial energy (γ) increasing, which indicated the CO32− and OH− ions adsorbed on the nuclei but suppressed nucleation rate.

Measurements of the solubility and metastable zone width (MSZW) of borax decahydrate (disodium tetraborate decahydrate) within chloride, sulfate and carbonate solutions were carried out. The MSZW was measured by the conventional polythermal method with turbidity technology. The results showed that the addition of impurities decreased solubility. The main factor reducing solubility is the common ion effect, but the salt effect is also significant in the complex system. The addition of impurities broadened the MSZW. The MSZW was wider at first, then decreased with the addition of NaCl, yet the MSZW widened with the addition of Na2SO4 within the concentration range studied. This can be explained by adsorption and diffusion. The data of solubility and MSZW were analyzed by applying the Van’t Hoff equation and the classical 3D nucleation theory approach, respectively. By calculating the corresponding parameters, the experimental phenomena are further explained from the perspective of thermodynamics and dynamics.

The solubility and metastable zonewidth of boric acid in the simulatedoilfield brine system of NaCl–KCl–CaCl2–H2O were studied at low temperature by the turbidity method.The nucleation kinetic constant Aand the interfacialenergy γ of boric acid were calculated with nucleation theory.Results showed that the solubility of boric acid in the simulatedoilfield brine system was mainly determined by the coexisting saltof CaCl2and decreased with increasing concentrations ofCaCl2, even though the presence of NaCl and KCl has a salt-ineffect on the solubility. However, the metastable zone width was affectedby the three coexisting salts and it changes differently with thevaried concentrations. The possible reason can be explained by thedependence of the interfacial energy γ on the slat concentration.On the basis of the above results, the crystallization behavior ofboric acid during oilfield brine evaporation was investigated forthe first time. It was deeply affected by the coexisting salts inbrine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]