Effect of Cation Exchange on the Sorption Properties of Zeolites

Abstract

The sodium ions in Na-Y zeolites were partially exchanged with Li, K, Ba, Mg and Ca ions. The adsorption of benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, methanol and water vapour at 30°C has been measured on Ba-Y zeolite, while the adsorption of carbon tetrachloride and water vapour was followed on Na-Y and all its cation-exchanged forms. The observed adsorption characteristics have been related to the dielectric constant of the adsorbate molecule and to the electrostatic field strength of the zeolite sample. The amount of adsorbate irreversibly adsorbed may also be related to these parameters.