Removal of Nitrophenols by Adsorption Using β-Cyclodextrin Modified Zeolites

Removal of nitrophenols (NPs) from aqueous solutions through the adsorption process by using cationic β-cyclodextrin (CCD) modified zeolite (CCDMZ) was investigated. The effects of particle size, contact time, solution pH values and sodium chloride content in the aqueous on adsorption capacity were evaluated through a series of batch experiments. The results showed that CCDMZ had a higher adsorption capacity for removing NPs at a size fraction of 0.45–0.9 mm while adsorption of NPs on CCDMZ reached equilibrium within 60 min. The adsorption process was apparently influenced by pH values and sodium chloride content in aqueous solution. To ascertain the mechanisms of sorption, the experimental data were modeled by using the pseudo-first and pseudo-second order kinetic equations, and the results indicated that the adsorption kinetics of NPs on CCDMZ well-matched with the pseudo-second order rate expression.