Adsorbents and Methods used for effective removal or concentration or retention and
recovery of harmful or valuable dissolved ions and compounds from aqueous systems using
quantum size effect on large
band gap semiconductors are provided. This invention provides methods for creating surface hydroxyl groups on surfaces of
anatase,
brookite and
rutile large
band gap semiconductors which comprise methods of reducing dimensions of individual crystals to the sizes where surface hydroxyl groups are self generated via
quantum size effects when they contacted with electrolytes. This invention also provides methods of reproducible preparation of
quantum sized effected
anatase,
brookite and
rutile, which comprise in non-batch and continues process in which growth of said crystals is aborted. The invention also provides methods using
quantum size effected
anatase,
brookite and
rutile products for treatment of water, comprising rapid and high capacity adsorption of dissolved molecules and ions to the surface of said crystals via
surface reaction process between said effect created hydroxyl groups with molecules and ions. Invention in general provides an effective means for treatment of water from harmful contaminants, especially As, P, U, transuranic elements, W, Mo, Cu, Pb, Cd, Co, Ni, Cr and others