Comparative Study of Copper Adsorptivity and Selectivity toward Zeolites

Ponyadira Kabwadza-Corner, Moses Wazingwa Munthali, Erni Johan, Naoto Matsue

Laboratory of Applied Chemistry for Environmental Industry, Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan.

DOI: 10.4236/ajac.2014.57048                

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to find the type and species of zeolite which gives optimum adsorption of copper, provide an explanation of the mechanism involved in the adsorption process and establish the selectivity sequence among zeolites. Adsorption of Cu onto zeolites and mont-morillonite as a reference was conducted at an initial Cu concentration range of 0 - 0.60 mM in the presence of 100 mM NH₄NO₃ at initial pH of 5. Langmuir and Freundlich models were used in analyzing the equilibrium data and a selectivity sequence derived from the Langmuir calculation was A4 > faujasite X > modernite > Na-P1 ≈ montmorillonite ≈ faujasite Y > clinoptilolite. Zeolites A4 and faujasite X had high adsorptive capacities of 1429 mmol·kg^﹣1 and 909 mmol·kg^﹣1, respectively. Zeolite A4 has the highest CEC among all the samples (6150 mmol·kg^﹣1), and the adsorption capacity of Cu was largely influenced by the CEC of the samples. The adsorption mechanism was based on the exchange of Cu from solution with mostly Na which was the main exchangeable cation available. These results are important in selecting the most effective and suitable adsorbent for Cu removal from polluted environments.

Keywords

Heavy Metals, Cu Adsorption, Selectivity, Precipitation, Cation Exchange

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Li, N. and Bai, N. (2005) Copper Adsorption on Chitosan-Cellulose Hydrogel Beads: Behaviors and Mechanisms. Separation and Purification Technology, 42, 237-247. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2004.08.002
[2]	Antunes, W.M., Luna, A.S., Henriques, C.A. and Costa, A.C.A. (2003) An Evaluation of Copper Bio Sorption by a Brown Seaweed under Optimized Conditions. Electronic Journal of Biotechnology, 6, 174-184.
[3]	Larous, S., Meniai, A.H. and Lehocine, M.B. (2005) Experimental Study of the Removal of Copper from Aqueous Solutions by Adsorption Using Sawdust. Desalination, 185, 483-490. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2005.03.090
[4]	Rao, M.M., Ramesh, A., Rao, G.P.C. and Seshaiah, K. (2006) Removal of Copper and Cadmium from the Aqueous Solutions by Activated Carbon Derived from Ceiba pentandra Hulls. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 129, 123-129. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2005.08.018
[5]	Wong, K.K., Lee, C.K., Low, K.S. and Haron, M.J. (2003) Removal of Cu and Pb by Tartaric Acid Modified Rice Husk from Aqueous Solutions. Chemosphere, 50, 23-28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0045-6535(02)00598-2
[6]	Quek, S.Y., Wase, D.A.J. and Forster, C.F. (1998) The Use of Sago Waste for the Sorption of Lead and Copper. Water SA, 24, 251-256.
[7]	Ozcan, A., Ozcan, A.S., Tunali, S., Akar, T. and Kiran, I. (2005) Determination of the Equilibrium, Kinetic and Thermodynamic Parameters of Adsorption of Copper(II) Ions onto Seed of Capsicum Annuum. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 124, 200-208. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2005.05.007
[8]	Reddy, B.R., Mirghaffari, N. and Gaballah, I. (1997) Removal and Recycling of Copper from Aqueous Solutions Using Treated Indian Barks. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 21, 227-245. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0921-3449(97)00036-0
[9]	King, P., Srivinas, P., Prasanna Kumar, Y. and Prasad, V.S.R.K. (2006) Sorption of Copper (II) Ion from Aqueous Solution by Tectona grandis l.f. (Teak Leaves Powder). Journal of Hazardous Materials, 136, 560-566. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2005.12.032
[10]	Sawalha, M.F., Peralta-Videa, J.R., Romero-González, J., Duarte-Gardea, M. and Gardea-Torresdey, J.L. (2007) Thermodynamic and Isotherm Studies of the Biosorption of Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) by Leaves of Saltbush (Atriplex canescens). Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics, 39, 488-492. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jct.2006.07.020
[11]	Shukla, S.R. and Pai, R.S. (2005) Adsorption of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) on Dye Loaded Groundnut Shells and Sawdust. Separation and Purification Technology, 43, 1-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2004.09.003
[12]	Ho, Y.S., Huang, C.T. and Huang, H.W. (2002) Equilibrium Sorption Isotherm for Metal Ions on Tree Fern. Process Biochemistry, 37, 1421-1430. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0032-9592(02)00036-5
[13]	Ngah, W.S.W., Kamari, A., Fatinathan, S. and Ng, P.W. (2006) Adsorption of Chromium from Aqueous Solution Using Chitosan Beads. Adsorption, 12, 249-257. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10450-006-0501-0
[14]	Mishra, T. and Tiwari, S.K. (2006) Studies on Sorption Properties of Zeolite Derived from Indian Fly Ash. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 137, 299-303. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.02.004
[15]	Peric, J., Trgo, M. and Vukojevic Medvidovic, N. (2004) Removal of Zinc, Copper and Lead by Natural Zeolite—A Comparison of Adsorption Isotherms. Water Research, 38, 1893-1899. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2003.12.035
[16]	Babel, S. and Kurniawam, T.A. (2003) Low-Cost Adsorbents for Heavy Metals Uptake from Contaminated Water: A Review. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 97, 219-243. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3894(02)00263-7
[17]	Abollinoa, O., Acetob, M., Malandrinoa, M., Sarzaninia, C. and Mentasti, E. (2003) Adsorption of Heavy Metals on Na-Montmorillonite. Effect of pH and Organic Substances. Water Research, 37, 1619-1627. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1354(02)00524-9
[18]	Chen, J., Yiacoumi, S. and Blaydes, T.G. (1996) Equilibrium and Kinetic Studies of Copper Adsorption by Activated Carbon. Separations Technology, 6, 133-146. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0956-9618(96)00146-4
[19]	Wang, C.F., Li, J.S., Sun, X., Wang, L.J. and Sun, X.Y. (2009) Evaluation of Zeolites Synthesized from Fly Ash as Potential Adsorbents for Wastewater Containing Heavy Metals. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 21, 127-136.
[20]	Majdan, M., Pikus, S., Kowalska-Ternes, M., Gladysz-Plaska, A., Staszczuk, P., Fuks, L. and Skrzypek, H. (2003) Equilibrium Study of Selected Divalent d-Electron Metals Adsorption on A-Type Zeolite. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 262, 321-330. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9797(03)00220-0
[21]	Treacy, M.M.J., Higgins, J.B., Von Ballmoos, R. (2001) Collection of Simulated XRD Powder Patterns for Zeolites. 3rd Revised Edition, Elsevier, Amsterdam.
[22]	Dixon, J.B. and Weed, S.B. (1989) Minerals in Soil Environments. 2nd Edition, Soil Science Society of America, Madison.
[23]	Mering, J. and Brindley, G.W. (1965) X-Ray Diffraction Band Profiles of Montmorillonite—Influence of Hydration and of the Exchangeable Cations. http://www.clays.org/journal/archive/volume%2015/15-1-51.pdf
[24]	McKay, G. (1984) The Adsorption of Basic Dye onto Silica from Aqueous-Solution Solid Diffusion-Model. Chemical Engineering Science, 39, 129-138. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0009-2509(84)80138-4
[25]	Hui, K.S., Chao, C.Y.H. and Kot, S.C. (2005) Removal of Mixed Heavy Metal Ions in Wastewater by Zeolite 4A and Residual Products from Recycled Coal Fly Ash. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 127, 89-101. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2005.06.027
[26]	Leinonen, H. and Lehto, J. (2001) Purification of Metal Finishing Waste Waters with Zeolites and Activated Carbons. Waste Management & Research, 19, 45-57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0734242X0101900106
[27]	Tansel, B. (2012) Significance of Thermodynamic and Physical Characteristics on Permeation of Ions during Membrane Separation: Hydrated Radius, Hydration Free Energy and Viscous Effects. Separation and Purification Technology, 86, 119-126. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2011.10.033
[28]	Doula, M.K. and Dimirkou, A. (2008) Use of an Iron-Over Exchanged Clinoptilolite for the Removal of Cu2+ Ions from Heavily Contaminated Drinking Water Samples. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 151, 738-745.
[29]	Querol, X., Moreno, N., Umana, J.C., Alastuey, A., Hernandez, E., Lopez-Soler, A. and Plana, F. (2002) Synthesis of Zeolites from Coal Fly Ash: An Overview. International Journal of Coal Geology, 50, 413-423. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0166-5162(02)00124-6
[30]	Bogdanov, B., Georgiev, D., Angelova, K. and Yaneva, K. (2009) Natural Zeolites: Clinoptilolite Review. International Science Conference, Stara Zagora, 4-5 June 2009.
[31]	Renganathan Sharma, K. (2007) Principles of Mass Transfer. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.
[32]	Mcbride, M.B. (1978) Copper (II) Interactions with Kaolinite: Factors Controlling Adsorption. Clays and Clay Minerals, 26, 101-106. http://dx.doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.1978.0260204
[33]	Breck, D.W. (1974) Zeolite Molecular Sieves: Structure, Chemistry, and Use. John Wiley & Sons, New York.
[34]	Filippidis, A., Godelitsas, A., Charistos, D., Misaelides, P. and Kassoli-Fournarak, A. (1996) The Chemical Behavior of Natural Zeolites in Aqueous Environments: Interactions between Low-Silica Zeolites and 1M NaCl Solutions of Different Initial pH-Values. Applied Clay Science, 11, 199-209. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0169-1317(96)00025-7
[35]	Motsi, T., Rowson, N.A. and Simmons, M.J.H. (2009) Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Acid Mine Drainage by Natural Zeolite. International Journal of Mineral Processing, 92, 42-48. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.minpro.2009.02.005
[36]	Takahashi, Y. and Imai, H. (1983) Adsorption of Heavy Metal Cations in Montmorillonite. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 29, 111-122.
[37]	Elliott, H.A. and Huang, C.P. (1981) Adsorption Characteristics of Some Cu(II) Complexes on Aluminosilicates. Water Research, 15, 849-855. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0043-1354(81)90139-1
[38]	Huang, C.P. and Ostovic, F.B. (1978) Removal of Cadmium (II) by Activated Carbon Adsorption. Journal of the Environmental Engineering Division, 104, 863-878.
[39]	Lin, C.Y. and Yang, D.H. (2002) Removal of Pollutants from Wastewater by Coal Bottom Ash. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A: Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering, 37, 1509-1522. http://dx.doi.org/10.1081/ESE-120013273
[40]	Covarrubias, C., Arriagada, R., Yanez, J., Garcia, R., Angelica, M., Barros, S.D., Arroyo, P. and Sousa-Aguiar, E.F. (2005) Removal of Chromium(III) from Tannery Effluents, Using a System of Packed Columns of Zeolite and Activated Carbon. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 80, 899-908. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jctb.1259
[41]	Boonamnuayvitaya, V., Chaiya, C., Tanthapanichakoon, W. and Jarudilokkul, S. (2004) Removal of Heavy Metals by Adsorbents Prepared from Pyrolyzed Coffee Residues and Clay. Separation and Purification Technology, 35, 11-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1383-5866(03)00110-2
[42]	Chu, K.H. (2002) Removal of Copper from Aqueous Solution by Chitosan Prawn Shell: Adsorption Equilibrium and Kinetics. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 90, 77-95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3894(01)00332-6
[43]	Pagnanelli, F., Esposito, A., Toro, L. and Veglio, F. (2003) Metal Speciation and pH Effect on Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd Biosorption onto Sphaerotilus natans: Langmuir-Type Empirical Model. Water Research, 37, 627-633.