Modification and Application of Natural Clinoptilolite and Mordenite from Almaty Region for Drinking Water Purification
Zahid M. Doszhanov Y. Saurykova K. Ahmadi N. Bolatova D. Kurmanbayeva M. Aydarbek A. Ihsas R. Seitzhanova M. Akhmetzhanova D. Kerimkulova A. Doszhanov O.
May 2025Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Molecules
2025#30Issue 9
In this paper, the modification of natural clinoptilolite and mordenite zeolites from Almaty using acid treatment is addressed for the purposes of improving adsorption performance and for drinking water purification. Structural chemical transformation was characterized by the use of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. Acid treatment led to a partial dealumination that was responsible for an increase in the number of surface defects and micropores, improvement in ion exchange capacity, and selectivity toward heavy metals. Additionally, modifications greatly enhance the uptake capacities of Pb2+, Cd2+, and As3+. The clinoptilolite post-modification removal efficiencies reached 94%, 86%, and 84%, respectively, while mordenite zeolites achieved 95%, 90%, and 87% removal efficiencies, respectively. The enhancement of performance was related to the increase in surface area and active sites for ion exchange, verified from analysis of the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area. The use of different Bhatt and Kothari methods has revealed that adsorption processes followed Langmuir isotherm models for Pb2+ and Cd2+, whereas As3+ adsorption was better described by the Freundlich isotherm model. However, second-order kinetics indicate that chemisorption was the dominant mechanism. Such evidence indicates spontaneity and an endothermic process, as shown from thermodynamic studies. Results showed that modified zeolites indeed had a high degree of reusability, with over 80% of the adsorption capacity retained even after five cycles. Acid-modified zeolites can provide cheaper, greener methods of purification, generating only negligible secondary waste when compared to conventional methods of water purification, for example, activated carbon and membrane filtration. Results from this study proved that modified clinoptilolite and mordenite zeolites have the potential for sustainable heavy metal treatment in drinking water purification systems.
acid treatment , adsorption , clinoptilolite , ion exchange , mordenite , purification
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Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi Ave. 71, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, Paktika University, Orgon Road, Paktika, 2401, Afghanistan
Institute of Combustion Problems, Bogenbay Batyr Str., 172, Almaty, 050012, Kazakhstan
Department of Biology, Nuristan University, Nuristan, 2901, Afghanistan
Department of Science, International IT University, Manas Str. 34/1, Almaty, 050000, Kazakhstan
Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University, Kunar Main Road, Asadabad, 2801, Afghanistan
Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, Almaty Technological University, Tole Bi Str., 100, Almaty, 050061, Kazakhstan
Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences
Department of Biology
Institute of Combustion Problems
Department of Biology
Department of Science
Department of Biology
Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
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