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Preparation, Characterization and Applications of Zeolite-Based Materials

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Porous Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 August 2022) | Viewed by 27829

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of General Construction, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka 40, 20-618 Lublin, Poland
Interests: natural and waste raw materials for the production of zeolites; properties of zeolites; use of zeolites

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Guest Editor
Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka 40, 20-618 Lublin, Poland
Interests: porous materials characterization; adsorption processes; adsorbents; zeolite application; waste material utilization in zeolite synthesis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Zeolites are an interesting group of minerals which, due to their specific internal structure, possess numerous unique properties that determine their practical usage. Zeolites in their natural and modified form play a significant role in environmental engineering, agriculture, civil engineering or pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.

Zeolites can be applied in the processes of gas, water, and wastewater purification, reclamation of degraded soils, building material production (mortars, concretes, lightweight aggregates, asphalt mixes), catalysis, energy storage, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics production. They are also a valuable source of easily available micro- and macroelements for soils. These examples of zeolite usage are directly connected with their properties, including ion exchange, absorbability, adsorption, and porosity.

The Special Issue of Materials on “Preparation, Characterization, and Applications of Zeolite-Based Materials” will include the current state-of-the-art and results of the newest scientific trends in the field of zeolite application in specialized material production.

Reports on the unique properties of zeolites, their modification and functionalization, as well as their potentially new directions of application are also welcome.

We are deeply convinced that this collection will contribute to the development of knowledge in the field of zeolite materials and will become a source of new ideas for the design, research, and use of this group of minerals.

Prof. Dr. Małgorzata Franus
Dr. Lidia Bandura
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • recycled materials
  • construction materials
  • environmental application
  • modification
  • synthesis
  • sorption

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 8093 KiB  
Article
Mechanochemically Assisted Coal Fly Ash Conversion into Zeolite
by Ewelina Grabias-Blicharz, Rafał Panek, Małgorzata Franus and Wojciech Franus
Materials 2022, 15(20), 7174; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15207174 - 14 Oct 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1804
Abstract
Mechanically treated fly ash (FA) was utilised to provide Al and Si atoms for zeolite synthesis. A combination of mechanical fly ash activation and classical hydrothermal synthesis led to favourable dissolution of activated fly ash and improved crystallization of zeolites. The milling activation [...] Read more.
Mechanically treated fly ash (FA) was utilised to provide Al and Si atoms for zeolite synthesis. A combination of mechanical fly ash activation and classical hydrothermal synthesis led to favourable dissolution of activated fly ash and improved crystallization of zeolites. The milling activation step induced structural changes in FA to promote its reactivity in alkaline solution. The conversion of milled FA into zeolite materials was finally completed in the second step, during hydrothermal synthesis. The effect of such factors as crystallization temperature, milling time, and solution conditioning were systematically studied. The physicochemical properties characterising the obtained zeolite materials were determined via particle size distribution (PSD), nitrogen adsorption–desorption, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). As a result, the best samples achieved a high degree of crystallinity and an extensive specific surface area of 292 m2/g, 87.4 m2/g, 41.9 m2/g for Na-X, Na-P1, and Na-A, respectively. The obtained results provide new and useful data for utilising fly ash resources and synthesising other practical zeolites through an innovative, mechanochemically assisted, and template-free approach. Full article
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19 pages, 3331 KiB  
Article
The Role of Zeolite Structure in Its β-cyclodextrin Modification and Tetracycline Adsorption from Aqueous Solution: Characteristics and Sorption Mechanism
by Lidia Bandura, Monika Białoszewska, Tiina Leiviskä and Małgorzata Franus
Materials 2022, 15(18), 6317; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15186317 - 12 Sep 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1748
Abstract
Modification of zeolites with organic compounds is of increasing interest due to their significant potential in removing emerging pollutants from water. In this work, zeolites from fly ash with three different structure types, NaX (faujasite), NaA (Linde A) and NaP1 (gismondine), were modified [...] Read more.
Modification of zeolites with organic compounds is of increasing interest due to their significant potential in removing emerging pollutants from water. In this work, zeolites from fly ash with three different structure types, NaX (faujasite), NaA (Linde A) and NaP1 (gismondine), were modified with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), and their adsorption efficacy towards tetracycline (TC) antibiotic in aqueous solutions have been studied. To assess the effect of modification on the zeolites, they were subjected to chemical, mineralogical and surface analyses using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry (TG), scanning electron microscope (SEM), N2 adsorption/desorption isotherm, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The maximum adsorption capacity for NaX-CD, NaA-CD and NaP1-CD was around 48, 60, and 38 mg/g, respectively. The fastest adsorption rate was observed for NaP1-CD, which achieved adsorption equilibria after 200 min, while for NaX-CD and NaA-CD it was established after around 24 h. The kinetic data were best described by the Elovich model, followed by pseudo-second order, while the Sips and Redlich–Peterson models were the most suitable to describe the adsorption isotherms. Based on the adsorption data as well as FTIR and XPS results, TC adsorption efficacy is strongly related to the amount of CD attached to the mineral, and hydrogen bonding formation probably plays the major role between CDs and adsorbate. Full article
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18 pages, 11037 KiB  
Article
Synthesis of Zeolites from Fine-Grained Perlite and Their Application as Sorbents
by Florian Painer, Andre Baldermann, Florian Gallien, Stefanie Eichinger, Florian Steindl, Reiner Dohrmann and Martin Dietzel
Materials 2022, 15(13), 4474; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15134474 - 24 Jun 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1769
Abstract
The hydrothermal alteration of perlite into zeolites was studied using a two-step approach. Firstly, perlite powder was transformed into Na-P1 (GIS) or hydro(xy)sodalite (SOD) zeolites at 100 °C and 24 h using 2 or 5 M NaOH solutions. Secondly, the Si:Al molar ratio [...] Read more.
The hydrothermal alteration of perlite into zeolites was studied using a two-step approach. Firstly, perlite powder was transformed into Na-P1 (GIS) or hydro(xy)sodalite (SOD) zeolites at 100 °C and 24 h using 2 or 5 M NaOH solutions. Secondly, the Si:Al molar ratio of the reacted Si-rich solution was adjusted to 1 by Na-aluminate addition to produce zeolite A (LTA) at 65 or 95 °C and 6 or 24 h at an efficiency of 90 ± 9% for Al and 93 ± 6% for Si conversion. The performance of these zeolites for metal ion removal and water softening applications was assessed by sorption experiments using an artificial waste solution containing 4 mmol/L of metal ions (Me2+: Ca2+, Mg2+, Ba2+ and Zn2+) and local tap water (2.1 mmol/L Ca2+ and 0.6 mmol/L Mg2+) at 25 °C. The removal capacity of the LTA-zeolite ranged from 2.69 to 2.86 mmol/g for Me2+ (=240–275 mg/g), which is similar to commercial zeolite A (2.73 mmol/g) and GIS-zeolite (2.69 mmol/g), and significantly higher compared to the perlite powder (0.56 mmol/g) and SOD-zeolite (0.88 mmol/g). The best-performing LTA-zeolite removed 99.8% Ca2+ and 93.4% Mg2+ from tap water. Our results demonstrate the applicability of the LTA-zeolites from perlite for water treatment and softening applications. Full article
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11 pages, 4041 KiB  
Article
Zeolite-Supported Aggregate as Potential Antimicrobial Agents in Gypsum Composites
by Magdalena Król, Justyna Syguła-Cholewińska and Tomasz Sawoszczuk
Materials 2022, 15(9), 3305; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15093305 - 05 May 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1485
Abstract
Relatively easy treatment of glass aggregates can lead to the formation of a highly porous zeolite aggregate. This study focuses on the possibility of using such an aggregate as an active additive to a gypsum binder. The physical properties of hardened gypsum composites [...] Read more.
Relatively easy treatment of glass aggregates can lead to the formation of a highly porous zeolite aggregate. This study focuses on the possibility of using such an aggregate as an active additive to a gypsum binder. The physical properties of hardened gypsum composites with zeolite fillers doped with various metal ions (Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) have been compared. In addition to studies of the basic physical properties of the composites, structural and microstructural studies as well as antimicrobial tests were performed. It was found that the parameters of the composites with the addition of various ions do not differ significantly from the reference but modifies the microstructure. Among other things, the ions analyzed reduce the microporosity of gypsum composites. Using all aggregates, a product with adequate strength (above 2 MPa) and thermal conductivity (about 0.35 W/m·K) appropriate for typical lightweight gypsum composites can be obtained. The bacteriostatic effect of formulations with copper and zinc against Escherichia coli and with copper against Staphylococcus aureus was found. Full article
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14 pages, 2760 KiB  
Article
Thermal Properties of Illite-Zeolite Mixtures up to 1100 °C
by Štefan Csáki, Ivana Sunitrová, František Lukáč, Grzegorz Łagód and Anton Trník
Materials 2022, 15(9), 3029; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15093029 - 21 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1299
Abstract
Illitic clays are the commonly used material in building ceramics. Zeolites are microporous, hydrated crystalline aluminosilicates, they are widely used due to their structure and absorption properties. In this study, illitic clay (Füzérradvány, Hungary) was mixed with natural zeolite (Nižný Hrabovec, Slovakia) with [...] Read more.
Illitic clays are the commonly used material in building ceramics. Zeolites are microporous, hydrated crystalline aluminosilicates, they are widely used due to their structure and absorption properties. In this study, illitic clay (Füzérradvány, Hungary) was mixed with natural zeolite (Nižný Hrabovec, Slovakia) with up to 50 wt.% of zeolite content. The samples were submitted to thermal analyses, such as differential thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, and dilatometry. In addition, the evolution of thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity, and specific heat capacity in the heating stage of firing were measured and discussed. The amount of the physically bound water in the samples increased along with the amount of zeolite. The temperature of the illite dehydroxylation (peak temperature) was slightly shifted to lower temperatures, from 609 °C to 575 °C (for sample IZ50). On the other hand, the mass loss and the shrinkage of the samples significantly increased with the zeolite content in the samples. Sample IZ50 reached 10.8% shrinkage, while the sample prepared only from the illitic clay contracted by 5.8%. Nevertheless, the temperature of the beginning of the sintering (taken from the dilatometric curves) decreased from 1021 °C (for illitic clay) to 1005 °C (for IZ50). The thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity values decreased as the amount of zeolite increased in the samples, thus showing promising thermal insulating properties. Full article
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18 pages, 2612 KiB  
Article
Functionalization of Zeolite NaP1 for Simultaneous Acid Red 18 and Cu(II) Removal
by Tomasz Bień, Dorota Kołodyńska and Wojciech Franus
Materials 2021, 14(24), 7817; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14247817 - 17 Dec 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1893
Abstract
The efficiency of azo dye Acid Red 18 (AR18) and Cu(II) ions simultaneous removal from an aqueous solution on NaP1CS and NaP1H was investigated, taking into account the effect of the phase contact time, pH, initial concentration, temperature, and interfering ions presence. Zeolite [...] Read more.
The efficiency of azo dye Acid Red 18 (AR18) and Cu(II) ions simultaneous removal from an aqueous solution on NaP1CS and NaP1H was investigated, taking into account the effect of the phase contact time, pH, initial concentration, temperature, and interfering ions presence. Zeolite denoted as NaP1CS was modified by chitosan (CS) and zeolite denoted as NaP1H was modified by hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA). In order to characterize sorption properties of NaP1CS, the obtained sorbent was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nitrogen adsorption/desorption (ASAP). The kinetic parameters were determined by means of the pseudo first order (PFO), pseudo second order (PSO), and intraparticle diffusion (IPD) kinetic models. To present the adsorption data, three different isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich) were used. The desorption process was also examined. It was found that for sorbent NaP1CS the pseudo second order (PSO) kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm fitted best the experimental data. Moreover, it was noted that the acidic pH is appropriate to achieve the best sorption properties of NaP1CS for Cu(II) and NaP1H for AR18 and Cu(II). The thermodynamic parameters indicate an endothermic process. The most effective solution for the desorption process was found to be 1 M HCl. The results indicate that simultaneous removal of dye AR18 and Cu(II) on modified zeolite NaP1CS or NaP1H is possible and proceeds with a very good efficiency. The obtained zeolites could effectively adsorb AR18 an Cu(II) simultaneously, but their adsorption abilities were rather different. Full article
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16 pages, 6391 KiB  
Article
Nutrients Recovery from Dairy Wastewater by Struvite Precipitation Combined with Ammonium Sorption on Clinoptilolite
by Claver Numviyimana, Jolanta Warchoł, Bartosz Ligas and Katarzyna Chojnacka
Materials 2021, 14(19), 5822; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14195822 - 05 Oct 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1941
Abstract
Struvite precipitation from Wastewater involves an excess of ammonium to create a supersaturated initial solution. The remaining fraction can be a threat to the environment. This work combined struvite precipitation and ammonium sorption using natural zeolite to decrease the ammonium level in the [...] Read more.
Struvite precipitation from Wastewater involves an excess of ammonium to create a supersaturated initial solution. The remaining fraction can be a threat to the environment. This work combined struvite precipitation and ammonium sorption using natural zeolite to decrease the ammonium level in the effluent. Two approaches of estimation of feed sample doses were used. One consisted of gradient experiments for ammonium precipitation to the asymptotic level and was combined with clinoptilolite to lower the ammonium level in the effluent. This approach used doses of 0.05:1.51:0.61:1 of Ca:Mg:NH4+:PO43− mole ratios, respectively. In contrast, three level design with narrowed NH4+:PO43− range reached 0.25:1.51:0.8:1 for Ca:Mg:NH4+:PO43− mole ratios. The addition of zeolite decreased effluent ammonium concentration. In both ways, the P and N recoveries were higher than 94% and 72%, respectively. The complexity of the precipitation mixture decreased the ammonium sorption capacity (Qe) of clinoptilolite from Qe of 0.52 to 0.10 meq∙g−1 in single and complex solutions, respectively. Thermodynamically, the addition of 1.5 % of clinoptilolite changed the struvite precipitation spontaneity from ∆G of −5.87 to −5.42 kJ·mol−1 and from 9.66 to 9.56 kJ·mol−1 for gradient and three level experimental procedures, respectively. Thus, clinoptilolite demonstrated a positive effect on the struvite precipitation process and its environmental impact. Full article
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17 pages, 26176 KiB  
Article
Mixed-Phase Ion-Exchangers from Waste Amber Container Glass
by Victoria K. Elmes, Andrew P. Hurt and Nichola J. Coleman
Materials 2021, 14(17), 4887; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14174887 - 27 Aug 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1410
Abstract
This study investigated the one-pot hydrothermal synthesis of mixed-phase ion-exchangers from waste amber container glass and three different aluminium sources (Si/Al = 2) in 4.5 M NaOH(aq) at 100 °C. Reaction products were characterised by X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, [...] Read more.
This study investigated the one-pot hydrothermal synthesis of mixed-phase ion-exchangers from waste amber container glass and three different aluminium sources (Si/Al = 2) in 4.5 M NaOH(aq) at 100 °C. Reaction products were characterised by X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 27Al and 29Si magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy at 24, 48 and 150 h. Nitrated forms of cancrinite and sodalite were the predominant products obtained with reagent grade aluminium nitrate (Al(NO3)3∙9H2O). Waste aluminium foil gave rise to sodalite, tobermorite and zeolite Na-P1 as major phases; and the principal products arising from amorphous aluminium hydroxide waste were sodalite, tobermorite and zeolite A. Minor proportions of the hydrogarnet, katoite, and calcite were also present in each sample. In each case, crystallisation was incomplete and products of 52, 65 and 49% crystallinity were obtained at 150 h for the samples prepared with aluminium nitrate (AN-150), aluminium foil (AF-150) and amorphous aluminium hydroxide waste (AH-150), respectively. Batch Pb2+-uptake (~100 mg g−1) was similar for all 150-h samples irrespective of the nature of the aluminium reagent and composition of the product. Batch Cd2+-uptakes of AF-150 (54 mg g−1) and AH-150 (48 mg g−1) were greater than that of AN-150 (36 mg g−1) indicating that the sodalite- and tobermorite-rich products exhibited a superior affinity for Cd2+ ions. The observed Pb2+- and Cd2+-uptake capacities of the mixed-product ion-exchangers compared favourably with those of other inorganic waste-derived sorbents reported in the literature. Full article
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17 pages, 4164 KiB  
Article
Simultaneous Removal of Pb2+ and Zn2+ Heavy Metals Using Fly Ash Na-X Zeolite and Its Carbon Na-X(C) Composite
by Rafał Panek, Magdalena Medykowska, Małgorzata Wiśniewska, Katarzyna Szewczuk-Karpisz, Katarzyna Jędruchniewicz and Małgorzata Franus
Materials 2021, 14(11), 2832; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14112832 - 25 May 2021
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 2640
Abstract
Pure zeolite (Na-X) and a zeolite–carbon composite (Na-X(C)) were investigated as adsorbents of heavy metals—Pb2+ and Zn2+ from an aqueous solution. These materials were synthesized from fly ash—a waste from conventional hard coal combustion. Both solids were characterized using XRD, SEM-EDS, [...] Read more.
Pure zeolite (Na-X) and a zeolite–carbon composite (Na-X(C)) were investigated as adsorbents of heavy metals—Pb2+ and Zn2+ from an aqueous solution. These materials were synthesized from fly ash—a waste from conventional hard coal combustion. Both solids were characterized using XRD, SEM-EDS, nitrogen adsorption/desorption, particle size and elemental composition analyses. The adsorption study was performed at pH 5 in the systems containing one or two adsorbates simultaneously. The obtained results showed that the pure zeolite was characterized by a more developed surface area (728 m2/g) than its carbon composite (272 m2/g), and the mean pore diameters were equal to 1.73 and 2.56 nm, respectively. The pure Na-X zeolite showed better adsorption properties towards heavy metals than its Na-X(C) composite, and Zn2+ adsorbed amounts were significantly higher than the Pb2+ ones (the highest experimental adsorption levels were: for Zn2+—656 and 600 mg/g, and for Pb2+—575 and 314 mg/g, on the Na-X and Na-X(C) surfaces, respectively). The zinc ions are exchanged with the cations inside the zeolite materials structure more effectively than lead ions with a considerably larger size. In the mixed systems, the competition between both heavy metals for access to the active sites on the adsorbent surface leads to the noticeable reduction in their adsorbed amounts. Moreover, the hydrochloric acid was a better desorbing agent for both heavy metals, especially Pb2+ one (desorption reached 78%), than sodium base (maximal desorption 25%). Full article
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18 pages, 4355 KiB  
Article
Zeolite NaP1 Functionalization for the Sorption of Metal Complexes with Biodegradable N-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)-D,L-aspartic Acid
by Dorota Kołodyńska, Yongming Ju, Małgorzata Franus and Wojciech Franus
Materials 2021, 14(10), 2518; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14102518 - 12 May 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1981
Abstract
The possibility of application of chitosan-modified zeolite as sorbent for Cu(II), Zn(II), Mn(II), and Fe(III) ions and their mixtures in the presence of N-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)-D,L-aspartic acid, IDHA) under different experimental conditions were investigated. Chitosan-modified zeolite belongs to the group of biodegradable complexing agents [...] Read more.
The possibility of application of chitosan-modified zeolite as sorbent for Cu(II), Zn(II), Mn(II), and Fe(III) ions and their mixtures in the presence of N-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)-D,L-aspartic acid, IDHA) under different experimental conditions were investigated. Chitosan-modified zeolite belongs to the group of biodegradable complexing agents used in fertilizer production. NaP1CS as a carrier forms a barrier to the spontaneous release of the fertilizer into soil. The obtained materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR); surface area determination (ASAP); scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS); X-ray fluorescence (XRF); X-ray diffraction (XRD); and carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen (CHN), as well as thermogravimetric (TGA) methods. The concentrations of Cu(II), Zn(II), Mn(II), and Fe(III) complexes with IDHA varied from 5–20 mg/dm3 for Cu(II), 10–40 mg/dm3 for Fe(III), 20–80 mg/dm3 for Mn(II), and 10–40 mg/dm3 for Zn(II), respectively; pH value (3–6), time (1–120 min), and temperature (293–333 K) on the sorption efficiency were tested. The Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Temkin adsorption models were applied to describe experimental data. The pH 5 proved to be appropriate for adsorption. The pseudo-second order and Langmuir models were consistent with the experimental data. The thermodynamic parameters indicate that adsorption is spontaneous and endothermic. The highest desorption percentage was achieved using the HCl solution, therefore, proving that method can be used to design slow-release fertilizers. Full article
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16 pages, 2413 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of Zeolites Produced from Low-Quality Coal Fly Ash and Wet Flue Gas Desulphurization Wastewater
by Paulina Nowak, Barbara Muir, Agnieszka Solińska, Małgorzata Franus and Tomasz Bajda
Materials 2021, 14(6), 1558; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14061558 - 22 Mar 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2325
Abstract
This study investigated a low-energy-consuming procedure for the synthesis of zeolite materials from coal fly ash (CFA). Materials containing zeolite phases, namely Na–X, Na–P1, and zeolite A, were produced from F–class fly ash, using NaOH dissolved in distilled water or in wastewater obtained [...] Read more.
This study investigated a low-energy-consuming procedure for the synthesis of zeolite materials from coal fly ash (CFA). Materials containing zeolite phases, namely Na–X, Na–P1, and zeolite A, were produced from F–class fly ash, using NaOH dissolved in distilled water or in wastewater obtained from the wet flue gas desulphurization process, under atmospheric pressure at a temperature below 70 °C. The influence of temperature, exposure time, and alkaline solution concentration on the synthesized materials was tested. In addition, chemical, mineralogical, and textural properties of the obtained materials were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Cd(II), Ni(II), NH4+ cation, and Se(VI) anion sorption experiments were conducted to compare the sorption properties of the produced synthetic zeolites with those of the commercially available ones. Zeolitization resulted in an increase of CEC (up to 30 meq/100 g) compared to raw CFA and enhanced the ability of the material to adsorb the chosen ions. The obtained synthetic zeolites showed comparable or greater sorption properties than natural clinoptilolite and synthetic Na–P1. They were also capable of simultaneously removing cationic and anionic compounds. The structural, morphological, and textural properties of the final product indicated that it could potentially be used as an adsorbent for various types of environmental pollutants. Full article
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16 pages, 2810 KiB  
Article
Recycling of Waste Solution after Hydrothermal Conversion of Fly Ash on a Semi-Technical Scale for Zeolite Synthesis
by Rafał Panek, Jarosław Madej, Lidia Bandura and Grzegorz Słowik
Materials 2021, 14(6), 1413; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14061413 - 15 Mar 2021
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 2623
Abstract
Nowadays, using fly ash for zeolites production has become a well-known strategy aimed on sustainable development. During zeolite synthesis in a hydrothermal conversion large amount of post-reaction solution is generated. In this work, the solution was used as a substrate for Na-A and [...] Read more.
Nowadays, using fly ash for zeolites production has become a well-known strategy aimed on sustainable development. During zeolite synthesis in a hydrothermal conversion large amount of post-reaction solution is generated. In this work, the solution was used as a substrate for Na-A and Na-X zeolites synthesis at laboratory and technical scale. Obtained materials were characterized using particle size analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm. Produced zeolites revealed high purity (>98%) and monomineral zeolitic phase composition. The SiO2 content was in the range 39–42% and 40–38%, whereas Al2O3 content was 23–22% and 25–26% for Na-X and Na-A, respectively. TEM and BET analyses revealed Na-X zeolite pores were almost identical to commercial 13X with SBET in the range 671–734 m2/g. FTIR indicated slight differences between materials obtained at laboratory and technical scale in Si-O-(Si/Al) bridges of the zeolitic skeleton. The results showed good replicability of the laboratory process in the larger scale. The proposed method allows for waste solution reusability with a view to highly pure zeolites production in line with circular economy assumptions. Full article
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Review

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13 pages, 4680 KiB  
Review
Important Synthesis Parameters Affecting Crystallization of Zeolite T: A Review
by Siti Z. Patuwan and Sazmal E. Arshad
Materials 2021, 14(11), 2890; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14112890 - 28 May 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3124
Abstract
Synthesis of zeolite T with a variety of desired characteristics necessitates extensive work in formulation and practical experiments, either by conventional hydrothermal methods or aided with different approaches and synthesis techniques, such as secondary growth or microwave irradiation. The objectives of this review [...] Read more.
Synthesis of zeolite T with a variety of desired characteristics necessitates extensive work in formulation and practical experiments, either by conventional hydrothermal methods or aided with different approaches and synthesis techniques, such as secondary growth or microwave irradiation. The objectives of this review are to adduce the potential work in zeolite T (Offretite-Erionite) synthesis, evaluating determining factors affecting the synthesis and quality of zeolite T crystals. Attention is given to extensive studies that interconnect with other significant findings. Full article
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