Compared arsenic removal from aqueous solutions by synthetic mixed oxides and modified natural zeolites

Abstract

Layered Double Hydroxides of Mg–Al–Fe and their mixed metallic oxides of high specific surface area were synthesized by the coprecipitation method. A natural zeolite from a regional quarry with high clinoptilolite content was conditioned and modified. Initially, an acid treatment was applied and subsequently Fe(III) was incorporated by the wet impregnation method. Then the prepared solid materials were characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption–desorption at 77 K, SEM, DRS UV–Vis, and MP-AES to determine their physicochemical properties. Finally, the solid materials were evaluated as adsorbents for arsenic removal in water. The tracking of As and its species concentration at trace levels was carried out by cathodic stripping Square-wave voltammetry, which has proved to be a highly selective and sensitive electrochemical method. High levels of effectiveness in terms of removal were achieved, particularly with the natural zeolites and mixed oxides of highest iron content.