Preparation of Magnetically Modified Zeolites and the Application of Metal Ions Adsorption

Natural zeolites combined with the magnetic iron oxides are prepared by a chemical coprecipitation process. A detailed characterization of our magnetically modified zeolite (MMZ) is given, including powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The results reveal that in comparison with Na-zeolite, the structure of MMZ has no obvious change but its surface area increases from 25.13 m2 g-1 to 100.90 m2 g-1. The adsorption properties of MMZ to Pb2+ and Cu2+ were studied. The results show that the maximum loading capacities for Pb2+ and Cu2+ in the initial concentration range are 123.74 and 14.633 mg g-1, respectively. The MMZ can be used as an adsorbent for removal of heavy metal ions from industrial effluents or municipal waters, and the saturated adsorbent is separated from the medium by a simple magnetic process.