Modification of Nano Clinoptilolite Zeolite Using Sulfuric Acid and Its application Toward Removal of Arsenic from Water Sample

Zeolites are widely used in wastewater and contaminated water refinement due to their great adsorption properties. However, Clinoptilolite (as one type of Zeolites) has a relatively low adsorption capacity at least for arsenic ions. Therefore, in order to increase the adsorption capacity, natural Clinoptilolite was modified with sulfuric acid and various tests were then conducted to determine the best conditions for obtaining the maximum capacity of adsorption. The results showed that parameters such as arsenic initial concentration, adsorbent's particles size, adsorbent dosage and solution pH affect the adsorption capacity. Arsenic maximum adsorption was obtained at pH 8. Furthermore, the maximum adsorption capacity was found to be in an adsorbent modified with 1 M acid. The contact time or the time of balance between the adsorbent and analyte was determined to be 240 min and the optimal amount of Zeolite to obtain was determined to be 480 g/L. The rate of arsenic removal under the optimal conditions is 27.69%. The modified Clinoptilolite capacity for arsenic adsorption increased with reducing the adsorbent particles size to 0.5 mm. Besides, among the three examined isotherms including the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms, the Langmuir and Freundlich models well described arsenic adsorption. Considering the more favorable adsorption efficiency of Clinoptilolite modified with sulfuric acid compared to natural Clinoptilolite, the modified one can be proposed as an appropriate and inexpensive adsorbent for arsenic removal in waste water refinement.