Efficient use of Mg-modified zeolite in the treatment of aqueous solution contaminated with heavy metal toxic ions

• Modified zeolite with magnesium (Mg-zeolite) was used for heavy metal removal.
• Adsorption capacity of Mg-zeolite was two-fold higher than that of natural zeolite.
• The removal (>98%) of Pb, Cd, and Cu in aqueous solution was successful.
• The optimal Mg/zeolite ratio for Pb, Cd, and Cu removal was 1.5 to 1.75.
• High efficiency and low dose requirements of heavy metal removal by Mg-zeolite.

The aim of this study was to investigate adsorption using modified zeolite with magnesium (Mg-zeolite) in aqueous solutions for removal of heavy metal ions. The adsorption capacity of Mg-zeolite was determined to be 1.5-fold higher than that of zeolite modified with Na or K and 1.5- to 2.0-fold higher compared to that of natural zeolite. The Mg-zeolite successfully adsorbed > 98% of the Pb2+, Cd2+, and Cu2+ in the aqueous solutions at the following optimal conditions: 40 mg/L dosage and 1.5–1.75 Mg/zeolite ratio. The maximum binding capacity increased with an increase in pH to > 5 for Pb and Cu and to > 7 for Cd. The adsorbent, Mg-zeolite, could be promising for adsorption due to its high efficiency and low dose requirements. In addition, Mg-zeolite does not contaminate treated wastewater, so it can be recycled to reduce not only cost and demand for water, but also extra operational costs for reuse of wastewater.

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