Natural Zeolite Modification using Dithizone and Its Application as Adsorbent of Cu(II)

Abstract

Activation of zeolites with dithizone by reflux method was carried out at 50°C for 6 hours and the results were analyzed using FTIR and GSA. Furthermore, the modified zeolite dithizone was used to adsorb Cu2+ metal ions on variations of adsorption time of 5, 10, 15, 30 and 60 min, variation of adsorption pH 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 as well as variations in concentrations of 250, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 ppm. The results showed that there was a vibrational shift and a new peak emerged on the FTIR zeolite activation spectrum and modified zeolite indicating that the dithizone was present in the zeolite. GSA analysis results show that the surface area of activated zeolite is greater than natural zeolite ie 4,205 m2/g and 5,459 m2/g respectively, whereas dithizone-zeolite had a much smaller surface area of 0.925 m2/g. The selectivity of adsorption of activated zeolite to Cu(II) was greater than of dithizone-zeolite. The optimum adsorption contact time was 10 min for dithizone-zeolite and 30 min for activated zeolite. The optimum adsorption pH was at pH 5 for both adsorbents, as well as the optimum adsorption concentration at 250 ppm for both adsorbents.

Keywords

• zeolite
• dithizone
• adsorption