Synthesis of Linde F zeolite by alkaline treatment with caustic potash from volcanic rock from sillar, Peru: Its application in the adsorption of copper (II)

Abstract

This paper reports the results of the synthesis of zeolitic material with adsorbent capacity from a rock of volcanic origin from sillar, Arequipa, Peru. The experimentation was carried out in a stainless steel reactor using solutions with different concentrations of KOH (2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 M), at a constant temperature of 150 ℃ and with a contact time between the volcanic material and the solution of 24, 48 and 72 h. The product obtained was characterized by means of scanning microscopic analysis (SEM) and cation exchange capacity (CIC). The results showed that synthetic zeolite was produced as a function of KOH concentration as the most influential independent variable. The highest cation exchange capacity (CEC) observed was 27.91 meq/100 g and corresponded to the formation of Linde F zeolite obtained with a 3.0 M KOH solution and for a time of 72 hours using a material whose particle size was 4 mm. Adsorption tests were performed using solutions containing Cu2+ cations in order to evaluate their adsorption capacity and kinetics.