Characterization of a natural zeolite with inverse gas chromatography to assess its feasibility as adsorbent

Abstract

In this work, the dispersive and specific components of the surface energy of clinoptilolite have been obtained by means of IGC technique with the aim of assessing its potential as adsorbent to remove metallic cations from aqueous solutions. The obtained values of the dispersive component range from 22 to 36 mJ/m2, in agreement with the fact that clinoptilolite removal of metal ions takes place mainly due to physisorption. In relation to acid–base properties, the acidic and basic constants of clinoptilolite were found to be KA = 52.4 and KD = 1.5, indicating that this solid is adequate for the removal of metallic cations from aqueous solutions due its acidic surface character.