Removal of cadmium from wastewater by magnetic zeolite synthesized from natural, low-grade molybdenum

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2021-06, Vol.772, p.145355-145355, Article 145355
• Main Authors: Peng, Zhen-dong, Lin, Xue-ming, Zhang, Yu-long, Hu, Zheng, Yang, Xing-jian, Chen, Cheng-yu, Chen, Hua-yi, Li, Yong-tao, Wang, Jin-jin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Cadmium; Hydrothermal synthesis; Magnetic zeolite; Nano ferroferric oxide
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145355

Zeolite has a high adsorption capacity for heavy metals, but it is difficult to separate from the medium because of its small particle size. In this study, magnetic zeolite was synthesized from natural, low-grade molybdenum ore by adding nano ferroferric oxide (saturation magnetization 83.43 emu/g) directly in the hydrothermal synthesis process, which was used to adsorb cadmium from wastewater. The results of scanning electron microscopy showed that the nano ferroferric oxide was adhered to the surface of the zeolite to make it magnetic. The vibrating sample magnetometer showed that the larger the amount of nano ferroferric oxide added, the higher the saturation magnetization of the magnetic zeolite. The saturation magnetization of the magnetic zeolite with a loading proportion of 25% was 18.18 emu/g with a specific surface area of 459.8 m2/g. The adsorption experiments showed that when the pH value is greater than 4, the adsorption capacity of magnetic zeolite is high and stable, and the theoretical maximum adsorption capacity is 204.2 mg Cd/g. Na+ and Ca2+ have different inhibitory functions on the adsorption capacity. The mapping graphs showed that cadmium is captured by the magnetic zeolite after contact with cadmium, and XRD confirmed the presence of cadmium oxide in the magnetic zeolite after adsorption, XPS and EDS results indicated that ion exchange is one of the main mechanisms of cadmium adsorption by magnetic zeolites, and electrostatic adsorption may also have a contribution. [Display omitted] •Magnetic zeolite was synthesized from molybdenum ore by adding nano ferroferric oxide in the hydrothermal synthesis process.•Magnetic zeolite had a strong and stable adsorption capacity under appropriate conditions.•Ion exchange is one of the main mechanisms of cadmium adsorption by magnetic zeolites.