Title: Synthesis of Na-P_c zeolite from perlite and study of its ability to remove cyanide from liquid wastes

Authors: H. Faghihian, M. Kamali

Addresses: Department of Chemistry, Isfahan University, Darvazehshiraz, Isfahan, Iran. ' Department of Chemistry, Isfahan University, Darvazehshiraz, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract: With the aim of the economic upgrading of natural resources, this investigation examined the hydrothermal synthesis of zeolite from perlite, and the ability of the synthetic zeolite to adsorb and retain cyanide. The hydrothermal treatment of perlite with aqueous sodium hydroxide results in the formation of Na-P_c zeolite. The cation-exchange capacity of zeolite for zinc, copper and silver was respectively 2.26, 1.86 and 2.44 meq g^-1. The exchange was incomplete, but equilibrium was rapidly attained. Cyanide adsorption isotherms, constructed at three different temperatures, showed that the zeolite was very selective for cyanide. The solubility products of the cyanide precipitate and the exchange capacity of zeolite for individual cations governed the adsorption capacity of the zeolite. The method also remains selective in the presence of some other anions. Kinetic data for cyanide desorption in water and sodium chloride solution indicated that zeolite retains most of the adsorbed cyanide.

Keywords: cyanide; perlite; waste treatment; zeolite.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2003.004347

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2003 Vol.19 No.6, pp.557 - 566

Published online: 10 May 2004 *

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