Synthesis of K<sup>+</sup> and Na<sup>+</sup> Synthetic Sodalite Phases by Low-Temperature Alkali Fusion of Kaolinite for Effective Remediation of Phosphate Ions: The Impact of the Alkali Ions and Realistic Studies

oleh: Stefano Bellucci, Mohamed Hamdy Eid, Ilona Fekete, Szűcs Péter, Attila Kovács, Sarah I. Othman, Jamaan S. Ajarem, Ahmed A. Allam, Mostafa R. Abukhadra

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2022-12-01

Deskripsi

Two sodalite phases (potassium sodalite (K.SD) and sodium sodalite (Na.SD)) were prepared using alkali fusion of kaolinite followed by a hydrothermal treatment step for 4 h at 90 °C. The synthetic phases were characterized as potential adsorbents for PO<sub>4</sub><sup>3−</sup> from the aqueous solutions and real water from the Rákos stream (0.52 mg/L) taking into consideration the impact of the structural alkali ions (K<sup>+</sup> and Na<sup>+</sup>). The synthetic Na.SD phase exhibited enhanced surface area (232.4 m<sup>2</sup>/g) and ion-exchange capacity (126.4 meq/100 g) as compared to the K.SD phase. Moreover, the Na.SD phase exhibited higher PO<sub>4</sub><sup>3−</sup> sequestration capacity (Q<sub>max</sub> = 261.6 mg g<sup>−1</sup> and Q<sub>sat</sub> = 175.3 mg g<sup>−1</sup>) than K.SD phase (Q<sub>max</sub> = 201.9 mg g<sup>−1</sup> and Q<sub>sat</sub> = 127.4 mg g<sup>−1</sup>). The PO<sub>4</sub><sup>3−</sup> sequestration processes of both Na.SD and K.SD are spontaneous, homogenous, and exothermic reactions that follow the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-first-order kinetics. Estimation of the occupied active site density validates the enrichment of the Na.SD phase with high quantities of active sites (Nm = 86.1 mg g<sup>−1</sup>) as compared to K.SD particles (Nm = 44.4 mg g<sup>−1</sup>). Moreover, the sequestration and Gaussian energies validate the cooperation of physisorption and weak chemisorption processes including zeolitic ion exchange reactions. Both Na.SD and K.SD exhibit significant selectivity for PO<sub>4</sub><sup>3−</sup> in the coexisting of other common anions (Cl<sup>−</sup>, SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2−</sup>, HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>, and NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>) and strong stability properties. Their realistic application results in the complete adsorption of PO<sub>4</sub><sup>3-</sup> from Rákos stream water after 20 min (Na. SD) and 60 min (K.SD).