Functionally graded mesoporous zeolitic adsorbents in order to promote the pollutants removal

The main objective of our study was to design and develop the more efficient and cost effective water purification process using the natural clinoptilolite based separation and reaction media. Aquatic pollutants like phenol, azodyes acid red and indigo carmin have been examined for removal using model solutions and surface functionalized clinoptilolite and its efficiency compared to the other natural or commercial adsorbents, e.g. activated charcoal, pyrolysis char, lignite and expanded perlite. Surface architecture of such zeolite hybrid material has been studied by SEM and HR TEM spectral analytical methods. A satisfying abatement of phenol concentration with the carbonized clinoptilolite regarding the activated charcoal has been achieved using the simulated phenolic wastewaters. Obviously, any phenol removal can be observed using the raw, untreated clinoptilolite. The experimental adsorption data were mathematically best fitted according to Freundlich equation by the carbonized clinoptilolite, while the adsorption data of the activated charcoal were best fitted according to all equations, i.e. Brunauer, Emmett and Teller, Freundlich and Langmuir.Based on the experimental results with azodyes, following conclusions may be drawn: The top efficiency for acid red 1 was achieved with commercial activated charcoal HYS-N, a (max) = 13.5 mg/g, however for acid blue 74 it was achieved with ODA-zeolite (Z3), a (max) = 13.2 mg/g. Oppositely, the carbonized clinoptilolite as some kind of activated charcoal simulation, apparently did not prove any pronounced removal efficiency for acid red. The tendency of affinity increase of the ODA hydrophobized zeolites towards anionic pollutants with the arise of molecular weight has been validated, furthermore