Trapping the lead ion in multi-components aqueous solution by natural clinoptilolite

Zeolites versus Lead Toxicity

“…Clinoptilolites appears to be stable in the gastrointestinal tract [44], and as unique selective adsorbers, they could adsorb toxins, heavy metals, and free radicals from the body and excretes [17,45]. It is believed that the high affinity of clinoptilolite to Pb would significantly reduce the amount of dietary Pb available for absorption by the intestinal mucosa [20]. Present results confirmed this suggestion.…”

“…A greater SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 ratio correlates with higher acid stability [45]. Thus, the specific structure and high SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 ratio in clinoptilolite makes it the preferable sorbent in different acid solutions, including gastric juice [20] investigating Na-clinoptilolite established that it maintained structure stability in solution with pH value of 1.2 [20], while [50] indicated a premature collapse of zeolites NaY and NaA in such strong acid solution [5].…”

“…Clinoptilolites have shown antioxydative and anticancer effects [39][40][41]. They support the immune activity [20,42,43] note that clinoptilolite with low toxicity and high adsorption capacity toward Pb 2+ in a strong acid solution has a potentiality for application in the life sciences. Clinoptilolites appears to be stable in the gastrointestinal tract [44], and as unique selective adsorbers, they could adsorb toxins, heavy metals, and free radicals from the body and excretes [17,45].…”

“…Besides, they are the most abundant natural zeolites, occurring in volcanic and sedimentary rocks [1,7] and this fact facilitates their use [20] established that clinoptilolite retains its structural stability under high temperatures and acidity. According to there experiments clinoptilolite exhibited the highest capability in adsorbing Pb 2+ ion in complex solution with pH value of 1.2, at 37 o C, achieving the capacity of 7 mg/g, two times more than that by other zeolites and six times over that by activated carbon.…”

“…The structure of clinoptilolites is characterized by large intersecting open channels of 10-and 8-member tetrahedral rings [20]. Such structure ensures the clinoptilolite capacity of to absorb and accumulate heavy metals.…”