LAPSE:2022.0059
Published Article
LAPSE:2022.0059
Preparation and Characterization of the Sulfur-Impregnated Natural Zeolite Clinoptilolite for Hg(II) Removal from Aqueous Solutions
October 13, 2022
Sulfur-impregnated zeolite has been obtained from the natural zeolite clinoptilolite by chemical modification with Na2S at 150 °C. The purpose of zeolite impregnation was to enhance the sorption of Hg(II) from aqueous solutions. Chemical analysis, acid and basic properties determined by Bohem’s method, chemical behavior at different pHo values, zeta potential, cation-exchange capacity (CEC), specific surface area, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), as well as thermogravimetry with derivative thermogravimetry (TG-DTG) were used for detailed comparative mineralogical and physico-chemical characterization of natural and sulfur-impregnated zeolites. Results revealed that the surface of the natural zeolite was successfully impregnated with sulfur species in the form of FeS and CaS. Chemical modification caused an increase in basicity and the net negative surface charge due to an increase in oxygen-containing functional groups as well as a decrease in specific surface area and crystallinity due to the formation of sulfur-containing clusters at the zeolite surface. The sorption of Hg(II) species onto the sulfur-impregnated zeolite was affected by the pH, solid/liquid ratio, initial Hg(II) concentration, and contact time. The optimal sorption conditions were determined as pH 2, a solid/liquid ratio of 10 g/L, and a contact time of 800 min. The maximum obtained sorption capacity of the sulfur-impregnated zeolite toward Hg(II) was 1.02 mmol/g. The sorption mechanism of Hg(II) onto the sulfur-impregnated zeolite involves electrostatic attraction, ion exchange, and surface complexation, accompanied by co-precipitation of Hg(II) in the form of HgS. It was found that sulfur-impregnation enhanced the sorption of Hg(II) by 3.6 times compared to the natural zeolite. The leaching test indicated the retention of Hg(II) in the zeolite structure over a wide pH range, making this sulfur-impregnated sorbent a promising material for the remediation of a mercury-polluted environment.
Keywords
chemical modification, leaching, mercury sorption, natural zeolite clinoptilolite, sulfur impregnation
Subject
Suggested Citation
Ugrina M, Gaberšek M, Daković A, Nuić I. Preparation and Characterization of the Sulfur-Impregnated Natural Zeolite Clinoptilolite for Hg(II) Removal from Aqueous Solutions. (2022). LAPSE:2022.0059
Author Affiliations
Ugrina M: Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 35, 21 000 Split, Croatia [ORCID]
Gaberšek M: Department of Mineral Resources and Geochemistry, Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva Ulica 14, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia [ORCID]
Daković A: Institute for Technology of Nuclear and Other Mineral Raw Materials, P. O. Box 390, 11 000 Belgrade, Serbia
Nuić I: Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 35, 21 000 Split, Croatia [ORCID]
Journal Name
Processes
Volume
9
Issue
2
First Page
217
Year
2021
Publication Date
2021-01-25
Published Version
ISSN
2227-9717
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Original Submission
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PII: pr9020217, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2022.0059
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doi:10.3390/pr9020217
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Oct 13, 2022
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Mina Naeini
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