Ion-exchange adsorption of calcium ions from water and geothermal water with modified zeolite A

Immobilization of cesium in fly ash-silica fume based geopolymers with different Si/Al molar ratios

Geopolymers are considered as promising matrixes for waste solidification. However, the effects of the Si/Al molar ratio of geopolymer on the immobilization efficiencies for metal ions have not been fully studied and understood. In the present study, geopolymers with different Si/Al ratios were synthesized from coal fly ash and silica fume. Adsorption tests were conducted to evaluate their immobilization efficiencies for Cs⁺. The results indicated that geopolymer with low Si/Al ratio could have a better immobilization performance for Cs⁺ than that with high Si/Al ratio. High Si/Al ratio could contribute to a more compact structure of geopolymer. Each sorption process fitted better with the pseudo-second-order model, and all of them were governed by film diffusion. However, the diffusion mode was gradually closed to particle diffusion with the increase in the Si/Al ratio. Both Langmuir and Freundlich models could well fit the sorption data, and the free energy of each sorption process decreased with the increase in the Si/Al ratio according to D-R equation. The distribution of AlO₄ tetrahedron in the geopolymer structure plays a significant role in the immobilization of Cs⁺. Low Si/Al ratio could result in that more AlO₄ tetrahedrons distribute in the small rings (<eight-member), which has stronger locking effects on Cs⁺. However, high Si/Al ratio leads to the distribution of AlO₄ tetrahedrons mainly in larger rings (≥eight-member), and this could contribute to the high leaching amount of Cs⁺. In addition, high-temperature treatment could contribute to the formation of nepheline or pollucite in geopolymer matrix. These minerals locked Cs⁺ in their structures, and the leaching amount of Cs⁺ was reduced correspondingly from high levels (26.36%, 27.26%, and 66.92%) to very low levels (0.67%, 0.53%, and 0.95%).

Kinetic and equilibrium study of the removal of reactive dye using modified walnut shell

Modified walnut shell (EAWNS) was prepared by reaction with epichlorohydrin and alkaline solution of aspartic acid and used to remove reactive dye (Reactive Brilliant Blue (KN-R)) from aqueous media. The isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics of KN-R adsorption onto EAWNS were studied at 298-318 K. The isotherm data of KN-R adsorption onto EAWNS agreed closely with the Langmuir model. The theoretical monolayer adsorption capacity for KN-R was 224.42 mg/g at 318 K. The result from the Dubinin-Radushkevich model showed that the KN-R adsorption onto EAWNS is chemisorption. The adsorption rate of KN-R onto EAWNS conformed to the pseudo-second-order model. The diffusion mechanism was investigated by the intraparticle diffusion model. The mass-transfer coefficient calculated by the surface mass-transfer coefficient model was in range of 2.95 × 10^-5 to 2.93 × 10^-4cm/s. The thermodynamic results suggested that the adsorption of KN-R onto EAWNS is spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The design of a single-stage batch adsorption process based on EAWNS adsorbent was carried out. Furthermore, the recycled EAWNS maintains high adsorption capacity despite four cycles.

Application of fly ash-based materials for stabilization/solidification of cesium and strontium

Coal fly ash, as a solid waste produced from coal-fired power plants, was recycled for synthesis of zeolite A and geopolymer which were used for stabilization/solidification of Cs⁺ and Sr²⁺ from aqueous solutions. Specifically, the sorption data was successfully fitted by kinetic and thermodynamic models. The microstructure changes of zeolite A after loading Cs⁺ and Sr²⁺ were explored using XRD, FTIR, Raman, TG-DTA, and N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherm. The solidification of the spent zeolites using geopolymer was conducted and evaluated. It was found that pseudo-second sorption mechanism was predominant and, according to the Boyd equation, film diffusion seemed to govern the sorption process. The maximum sorption capacities on Cs⁺ and Sr²⁺ based on Langmuir model were 2.12 and 1.93 mmol/g, respectively. During ion exchange with Cs⁺ and Sr²⁺, Cs⁺ was inclined to go through the window to occupy the position of eight-member ring, while the Sr²⁺ was more likely to replace the Na⁺ in the six-member ring, thereby easily leading to the different changes of zeolite structure. In addition, geopolymer could be a promising matrix for the treatment of radioactive waste because the leaching fraction greatly decreased after solidification by geopolymer. Therefore, the recycling of coal fly ash for radioactive waste disposal could achieve the concept of disposal waste with waste and recycling, which could greatly contribute to the sustainable development of society.

Adsorption behavior of norfloxacin and site energy distribution based on the Dubinin-Astakhov isotherm

Concerns about the water resources contaminated by fluoroquinolone antibiotics have prompted research on effective and efficient treatment technologies. In this work, adsorbents based on barley straw were characterized on morphology, surface functional groups, and charge states for the adsorption of norfloxacin, a representative of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, from aqueous solutions. The effects of solution pH were studied, and high norfloxacin adsorption capacities of pretreated barley straw were achieved in a wide pH range (2.90-10.50), which were much higher than those of raw barley straw. The adsorbent was also able to remove norfloxacin from low to high concentration range, demonstrating its capability for norfloxacin removal from water bodies. The electron-donor-acceptor interactions were proposed as one of the main adsorption mechanisms. The adsorption kinetic data achieved at a range of concentrations were well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption equilibrium data were reasonably well-fitted by the Dubinin-Astakhov model, and a site energy distribution function based on the Dubinin-Astakhov model was determined. With higher site energies, the pretreated barley straw demonstrated a much stronger adsorption affinity for norfloxacin than raw barley straw.