Grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation and volumetric equilibrium studies for adsorption of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon in cadmium (II) exchanged zeolite A

Abstract

The adsorption of nitrogen, oxygen and argon has been studied in cadmium (II) ions exchanged zeolite A at 288.0 and 303.0 K. Experimentally measured adsorption isotherms are compared with theoretically calculated data using grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulation. Nitrogen showed higher adsorption capacity and selectivity than oxygen and argon in these zeolite samples. The cadmium exchanged zeolite A showed increased adsorption capacity for nitrogen, oxygen, and argon with increase in cadmium (II) exchange levels. Isosteric heat of adsorption data showed stronger interactions of nitrogen molecules with cadmium (II) cations in zeolite samples. These observations have been explained in terms of higher electrostatic interaction of nitrogen with extra framework zeolite cations. The selectivity of oxygen over argon is explained in terms of its higher interaction of oxygen with cadmium exchanged zeolites than argon molecules. Heats of adsorption and adsorption isotherms were also calculated using grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation algorithm. Simulation studies expectedly show the proximity of nitrogen molecules to the locations of extra framework sodium and cadmium cations.