Characterization of natural zeolite clinoptilolite for sorption of contaminants

Abstract

The nanoparticles technology has received considerable attention for its potential applications in groundwater treatment for the removal of various pollutants as Cadmium. In this work, iron boride nanoparticles were synthesized in pure form and in presence of homo-ionized zeolite clinoptilolite, as support material. These materials were used for removing Cd (II) from aqueous solutions containing 10, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 and 400 mg/L. The characterization of these materials was made by using X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Mossbauer Spectroscopy. Pure iron boride particles show a broad X-ray diffraction peak centered at 45∘ (2𝜃), inferring the presence of nanocrystals of Fe2B as identified from Mossbauer Spectroscopy. The size of these Fe2B particles was within the range of 50 and 120 nm. The maximum sorption capacities for Cd (II) of iron boride particles and supported iron boride particles in homo-ionized zeolitic material were nearly 100 %. For homo-ionized zeolite and homo-ionized zeolite plus sodium borohydride was ≥ 95 %.