The Effect of Preparation Conditions on the Removal Efficiency of Water Pollutants Using LTA Zeolite

In this study LTA zeolite was prepared from kaolin. The effect of ultrasonic irradiation on the crystal structure and ability to ion exchange of some heavy metals were studied. Many techniques were used to characterize the prepared zeolite includes X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) with crystal lattice analysis, Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and finally ion exchange isotherm of some heavy metal ions. The results showed that the ultrasonicated zeolite exhibits different behavior towards ion exchange with increasing its capacity. The ultrasonicated zeolite showed little increase in the lattice parameters with increasing in the crystal size. Fitting adsorption isotherms on the metal adsorbed showed an observable change in the behavior of ultrasonicated zeolite towards the metals exchanged.