Removal of Phenolic Pollutants from Water over BEA and HY Zeolites in Batch Conditions

A single adsorption isothermal study was performed over HY and BEA zeolites in order to determine their adsorption capacities for phenol, ortho-nitrophenol and para-nitrophenol. The experiments were realized in batch reactor and the isotherms were modelized by the Fowler-Guggenheim equation. During the adsorption process weak zeolite-sorbate interactions and more significant sorbate-sorbate attractions were identified. The adsorption was not linked to the molecular size of the sorbates and a strong correlation was established between the adsorption capacities and the dipole moments of the sorbates. The most polar compound was the best adsorbed. The removal performances of the zeolites depended on their hydrophobicity.