Characteristics of chabazite modified by hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide and of its affinity toward chromates

The FTIR, XRD, SEM and equilibrium data concerning the chabazite modified by hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA) are presented. The zeolite plays the role of surfactant carrier. Its sodium form is converted to surfactant form through its equilibration with aqueous solutions of HDTMA. It is established that HDTMA cations are incorporated into the chabazite structure via ion-exchange and Van der Waals forces. Gauche and trans conformers are recognised in alkyl chains arrangement of surfactant cations. HDTMA–chabazite is evaluated as efficient adsorbent for chromates with quick kinetics (equilibrium completed in 120 min) and high adsorption maximum a=0.00005 mol/g.