Application of faujasite synthesized from illite to the removal of Cr3+ and Ni2+ from electroplating wastewater

Abstract

The synthesis of faujasite type zeolite from an illite-rich raw material by an alkaline fusion step prior to hydrothermal treatment was investigated. The synthesis products were characterized by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, in order to elucidate their physicochemical and mineralogical characteristics. The transformation of the starting material can be summarized by two processes: (1) destruction of the aluminosilicate structure and (2) crystallization in a zeolite structural framework. The as-synthesized faujasite was tested as an adsorbent material in the removal of Cr3+ and Ni2+ from aqueous solutions.

Keywords

• faujasite type zeolite
• illite
• alkaline fusion
• aluminosilicate structure
• adsorption