Surface Functionalization of Silica Materials for Enhanced Selectivity in Dye Adsorption. A Review of Chemical Modification Strategies
1 Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana.
2 Oklahoma State University, USA.
Review
International Journal of Frontline Research in Engineering and Technology, 2026, 05(01), 001-008.
Article DOI: 10.56355/ijfret.2026.5.1.0011
Publication history:
Received on 04 January 2026; revised on 13 February 2026; accepted on 16 February 2026
Abstract:
The discharge of synthetic dyes from industrial effluents represents a persistent environmental challenge because of their high toxicity, chemical stability, and resistance to conventional biodegradation. At low concentrations, these dyes can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, lower water quality, and threaten human health. Among available treatment methods, adsorption has emerged as an effective and versatile method for dye removal because it offers simple operation, low operating costs, and produces almost no secondary environmental contamination. Silica-based materials, such as mesoporous and nanoparticulate forms, are highly effective adsorbents due to their large surface area, adjustable porosity, and chemical stability. However, pristine silica has limited adsorption capacity and poor selectivity for specific dyes, limiting its practical use. To overcome these limitations, there have been extensive studies on the surface functionalization of silica, which optimizes surface chemistry and improves dye adsorption performance. Functionalization strategies such as organosilane grafting, polymer modification, metal and metal-oxide incorporation, and bio-based approaches employ mechanisms such as electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, π–π interactions, and metal coordination. These modifications enhance adsorption efficiency and enable the selective removal of anionic, cationic, and non-ionic dyes. This review summarizes recent advances in chemical modification strategies for silica-based adsorbents, highlighting how different surface functional groups, structural characteristics, and dye selectivity correlate. It assesses the regeneration and reusability of functionalized silica materials and discusses current challenges and future directions. This review also integrates modern research insights to provide a comprehensive design framework for developing environmentally sustainable multifunctional silica adsorbents that selectively remove dyes from industrial wastewater.
Keywords:
Silica functionalization; Dye adsorption; Selective removal; Surface modification strategies; Wastewater treatment
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