Materials

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18 pages, 3272 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sorption of Heavy Metal Ions of Chromium, Manganese, Selenium, Nickel, Cobalt, Iron from Aqueous Acidic Solutions in Batch and Dynamic Conditions on Natural and Synthetic Aluminosilicate Sorbents

by Jolanta Flieger, Justyna Kawka, Wojciech Płaziński, Rafał Panek and Jarosław Madej

Materials 2020, 13(22), 5271; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13225271 - 21 Nov 2020

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 2898

Abstract

Zeolites are materials with known sorption properties. The sorption is thought to progress mainly by ion exchange with Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ or H⁺ from the zeolite exchange sites. The aim of the study was [...] Read more.

Zeolites are materials with known sorption properties. The sorption is thought to progress mainly by ion exchange with Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ or H⁺ from the zeolite exchange sites. The aim of the study was to compare the sorption properties of natural and synthetic zeolites on the example of the removal of selected metals from aqueous acidic solutions. Uptake experiments for selected ions of chromium, manganese, selenium, nickel, cobalt, and iron were performed using the batch and kinetic column methods. The sorption of the individual metal ions in mg per 1g of sorbent was determined for each sorbent. The relative affinity sequence of the examined cations toward the various sorbent was presented. The Langmuir model was used to model the adsorption equilibrium. Vermiculite under 1 mm of diameter (SF), Na-X, and Na-A were proved to be the most suitable for the individual uptake of studied metal ions. It was observed that the behavior of selenium ions differed from the remaining ones which was interpreted that selenium undergoes adsorption in the anionic form. The fixed-bed column studies were performed using Na-A, ensuring the sorption of selenium in the presence of iron(III) ions. The experiments were conducted using Na-X zeolite pre-loaded by Fe(III) as well as unmodified sorbent eluted by an equimolar mixture containing 100 ppm of Fe and Se. Obtained results prove that selenium sorption improves if other metal ions such as iron appear in the acidic solution. That efficient selenium sorption conditions can be applied to remove selenium which was recognized as toxic at higher levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zeolites: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

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17 pages, 1452 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Clinoptilolite and Halloysite Addition on Biogas Production and Microbial Community Structure during Anaerobic Digestion

by Martyna Ciezkowska, Tomasz Bajda, Przemyslaw Decewicz, Lukasz Dziewit and Lukasz Drewniak

Materials 2020, 13(18), 4127; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13184127 - 17 Sep 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2162

Abstract

The study presents a comparison of the influence of a clinoptilolite-rich rock—zeolite (commonly used for improving anaerobic digestion processes)—and a highly porous clay mineral, halloysite (mainly used for gas purification), on the biogas production process. Batch experiments showed that the addition of each [...] Read more.

The study presents a comparison of the influence of a clinoptilolite-rich rock—zeolite (commonly used for improving anaerobic digestion processes)—and a highly porous clay mineral, halloysite (mainly used for gas purification), on the biogas production process. Batch experiments showed that the addition of each mineral increased the efficiency of mesophilic anaerobic digestion of both sewage sludge and maize silage. However, halloysite generated 15% higher biogas production during maize silage transformation. Halloysite also contributed to a much higher reduction of chemical oxygen demand for both substrates (by ~8% for maize silage and ~14% for sewage sludge) and a higher reduction of volatile solids and total ammonia for maize silage (by ~8% and ~4%, respectively). Metagenomic analysis of the microbial community structure showed that the addition of both mineral sorbents influenced the presence of key members of archaea and bacteria occurring in a well-operated biogas reactor. The significant difference between zeolite and halloysite is that the latter promoted the immobilization of key methanogenic archaea Methanolinea (belong to Methanomicrobia class). Based on this result, we postulate that halloysite could be useful not only as a sorbent for (bio)gas treatment methodologies but also as an agent for improving biogas production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zeolites: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

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20 pages, 2616 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Efficacy Assessment of Phosphate Removal from Drainage Waters by Modified Reactive Material

by Agnieszka Grela, Michał Łach and Janusz Mikuła

Materials 2020, 13(5), 1190; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13051190 - 6 Mar 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2339

Abstract

Phosphates may pose a threat to the aquatic ecosystem when there is a connection or a path between the soil and the aquatic ecosystem. Runoff and drainage ditches connect arable land with the waters of the receiver. Phosphates in the runoff and the [...] Read more.

Phosphates may pose a threat to the aquatic ecosystem when there is a connection or a path between the soil and the aquatic ecosystem. Runoff and drainage ditches connect arable land with the waters of the receiver. Phosphates in the runoff and the ditches contribute to the negative phenomenon of surface water eutrophication. In order to prevent it, certain reactive materials are used which are capable of the selective removal of compounds by way of sorption or precipitation. Zeolites can be distinguished among the many reactive materials. Within the present analysis, the modification of a reactive material containing zeolites was carried out using calcium hydroxide solutions of different concentrations. A certain concentration of calcium hydroxide was created for use in further studies. In order to characterise the new material, an analysis was done of the chemical and mineral composition, as well as the porous texture and morphology. The efficacy of phosphate removal for its typical concentrations in drainage waters in Poland was confirmed by way of an experiment. Using a modified reactive material as an element of landscape structures may reduce the negative impact of phosphates on the quality of surface water. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zeolites: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

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13 pages, 2846 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Fly Ash Fractionation on the Zeolitization Process

by Dorota Czarna-Juszkiewicz, Piotr Kunecki, Rafał Panek, Jarosław Madej and Magdalena Wdowin

Materials 2020, 13(5), 1035; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13051035 - 25 Feb 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2451

Abstract

Coal combustion product in the form of fly ash has been sieved and successfully utilised as a main substrate and a carrier of silicon and aluminium in a set of hydrothermal syntheses of zeolites. The final product was abundant in zeolite X phase [...] Read more.

Coal combustion product in the form of fly ash has been sieved and successfully utilised as a main substrate and a carrier of silicon and aluminium in a set of hydrothermal syntheses of zeolites. The final product was abundant in zeolite X phase (Faujasite framework). Raw fly ash as well as its derivatives, after being sieved (fractions: ≤ 63, 63–125, 125–180 and ≥ 180 µm), and the obtained zeolite materials were subjected to mineralogical characterisation using powder X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence, laser diffraction-based particle size analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The influence of fraction separation on the zeolitization process under hydrothermal synthesis was investigated. Analyses performed on the derived zeolite X samples revealed a meaningful impact of the given fly ash fraction on synthesis efficiency, chemistry, quality as well as physicochemical properties, while favouring a given morphological form of zeolite crystals. The obtained zeolites possess great potential for use in many areas of industry and environmental protection or engineering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zeolites: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

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27 pages, 4100 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Zeolites in Phenol Removal in the Presence of Cu(II) Ions—Comparison of Sorption Properties after Chitosan Modification

by Lidia Bandura, Małgorzata Franus, Jarosław Madej, Dorota Kołodyńska and Zbigniew Hubicki

Materials 2020, 13(3), 643; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13030643 - 1 Feb 2020

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3341

Abstract

Nowadays, the contamination of water with phenol is a serious environmental problem. This compound occurs very often with heavy metal ions which makes purification of water even more difficult. This article presents the problem of the removal of phenol from aqueous solutions in [...] Read more.

Nowadays, the contamination of water with phenol is a serious environmental problem. This compound occurs very often with heavy metal ions which makes purification of water even more difficult. This article presents the problem of the removal of phenol from aqueous solutions in the presence of Cu(II) ions on synthetic zeolite NaP1 and zeolite NaP1 modified with chitosan. The adsorbents were determined with the use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The studies on isotherms and batch kinetics under diversified experimental conditions with respect to initial concentration, contact time, and pH were discussed. Both Cu(II) and phenol adsorption increases with the initial concentration. Different isotherm models correspond well with the data acquired through experiments. The kinetics of adsorption follows the pseudo-second order rate equation. The studies indicate that the obtained sorbents can be employed for efficient removal of phenol from wastewater in the presence of Cu(II) ions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zeolites: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

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12 pages, 1723 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Zeolite Tuffs as Mineral Filler in Warm Mix Asphalt

by Agnieszka Woszuk, Michał Wróbel and Wojciech Franus

Materials 2020, 13(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13010019 - 19 Dec 2019

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2410

Abstract

Zeolite materials are used in the warm mix asphalt technology as an asphalt foaming additive, which partially replaces the filler. This article analyzes the influence of the zeolite and other fillers addition on the properties of mastic asphalt. In the research, 35/50 penetration [...] Read more.

Zeolite materials are used in the warm mix asphalt technology as an asphalt foaming additive, which partially replaces the filler. This article analyzes the influence of the zeolite and other fillers addition on the properties of mastic asphalt. In the research, 35/50 penetration grade asphalt and three types of fillers were used: lime filler (L), zeolite tuff (clinoptilolite) (C), hydrated lime (H) and their mixed combinations (C:L in 1:1 and 1:3 proportions as well as C:L:H in 2:2:1 ratio). The characteristics of the materials included: chemical analysis, phase composition and particle size distribution. The following properties were determined on the asphalt mastic samples: penetration, softening point, penetration index, dynamic viscosity and stiffening measured by softening point increase. It was found that clinoptilolite could partially replace the traditional lime filler, without a negative impact on the asphalt mastic properties. Additionally, the hydrated lime inclusion should have a positive effect on the frost resistance of an asphalt mix. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zeolites: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

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16 pages, 2593 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pozzolanic Activity of Zeolites: The Role of Si/Al Ratio

by Barbara Liguori, Paolo Aprea, Bruno de Gennaro, Fabio Iucolano, Abner Colella and Domenico Caputo

Materials 2019, 12(24), 4231; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12244231 - 17 Dec 2019

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3195

Abstract

A great challenge of research is the utilization of natural or synthetic zeolites, in place of natural pozzolans, for manufacturing blended cements. The difficulties of interpretation of the pozzolanic behavior of natural zeolite-rich materials and the role played by their nature and composition [...] Read more.

A great challenge of research is the utilization of natural or synthetic zeolites, in place of natural pozzolans, for manufacturing blended cements. The difficulties of interpretation of the pozzolanic behavior of natural zeolite-rich materials and the role played by their nature and composition can be overcome by studying more simple systems, such as pure synthetic zeolites. This study aims at investigating the pozzolanic ability of isostructural zeolites with different framework compositions, such as three sodium zeolites of the faujasite (FAU) framework type: LSX, X, and Y. The pozzolanic activity has been estimated by thermogravimetry and X-ray diffraction analysis. The overall outcome of the investigation is that the zeolite structure affects its pozzolanic activity, as zeolites with similar framework densities exhibit distinct abilities to fix lime. Moreover, the framework composition is effective either from a kinetic point of view or on the total amount of fixed lime. Zeolite X appears to possess the best average features. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zeolites: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

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13 pages, 1609 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental-Friendly Modifications of Zeolite to Increase Its Sorption and Anion Exchange Properties, Physicochemical Studies of the Modified Materials

by Jolanta Cieśla, Wojciech Franus, Małgorzata Franus, Karolina Kedziora, Justyna Gluszczyk, Justyna Szerement and Grzegorz Jozefaciuk

Materials 2019, 12(19), 3213; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12193213 - 30 Sep 2019

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2870

Abstract

Zeolites, naturally possessing a high negative surface charge and large specific surface, are used in agriculture as cationic fertilizers, water holders, heavy metals, and organic pollutants sorbents. Since some nutrients occur in anionic forms, there is a need to modify the zeolite surface [...] Read more.

Zeolites, naturally possessing a high negative surface charge and large specific surface, are used in agriculture as cationic fertilizers, water holders, heavy metals, and organic pollutants sorbents. Since some nutrients occur in anionic forms, there is a need to modify the zeolite surface to hold anions. In this study, hydrogen (hydrochloric acid), iron (Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺), and aluminum cations as well as the influence of sodium hydroxide modifiers on the specific surface area, water vapor, adsorption energy, fractal dimension, mesopore volumes and radii, electrokinetic (zeta) potential, and isoelectric point were investigated. The use of alkali solution did not affect the zeolite properties significantly, whereas hydrogen, iron, and treatments with aluminum cations resulted in an increase in the specific surface area, mesopore volumes, and radii, and a decrease in the water-binding forces. Aluminum cations were the most effective in recharging the zeolite surface from negative to positive, shifting the isoelectric point toward the highest values. Calcination enlarged the negative surface charge and mesopore radius, and diminished the surface area and mesopore volume. The modified zeolites are promising carriers of anionic nutrients, large surface area sorbents, and suppliers of water for plant roots in soil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zeolites: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

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