Zero valent iron particles impregnated zeolite X composites for adsorption of tetracycline in aquatic environment

• Published in: RSC advances 2015-01, Vol.5 (125), p.1348-13487
• Main Authors: Liu, Minmin, An, Dong, Hou, Li-an, Yu, Shuili, Zhu, Yongqiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Cationic; Iron; Mathematical models; Particulate composites; Surface chemistry; Tetracyclines; Zeolites
• ISSN: 2046-2069; 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/c5ra21715f

Various weight percentages of zero valent iron particles (NZVI) were impregnated into the framework of zeolite X to synthesize a series of novel magnetic zeolites ( n )FeX. The ( n )FeX composites were applied to remove cationic tetracycline antibiotic (TC) from water. The result showed as the weight percentage of NZVI increased, some aluminums in the framework of zeolite X were substituted by irons for making the number of sodium ions increased and some NZVI were coated on the surface of zeolite X. The TC removal efficiencies of ( n )FeX samples were increased as the weight percentage of NZVI increased. As the weight percentage of NZVI was 5%, the TC removal efficiency of ( n )FeX was maximum and reached 476.2 mg g −1 . The TC adsorption isotherms were fitted well by the Langmuir model. The adsorption kinetics were well described by both pseudo-second order equation and the intra-particle diffusion model. The TC removal efficiency was decreased as the pH of TC solution increased. The TC removal by ( n )FeX was the chemical adsorption with cationic exchange reaction and electrostatic adsorption. Various weight percentages of zero valent iron particles (NZVI) were impregnated into the framework of zeolite X to synthesize a series of novel magnetic zeolites ( n )FeX.