Evaluation of a new magnetic zeolite composite for removal of Cs+ and Sr2+ from aqueous solutions: Kinetic, equilibrium and thermodynamic studies

In this research, a new magnetic zeolite composite (MZC) was prepared by the chemical co-precipitation of Fe2+ and Fe3+ in the presence of zeolite A. The materials were characterized by XRD, XRF, FT-IR, DTG, SEM and VSM. The capability of the composite for the removal of Cs+ and Sr2+ from aqueous solution based on magnetically assisted separation was evaluated. Adsorption studies were performed to assess the effect of relevant parameters, including pH, initial ion concentration, contact time and temperature. The kinetic data of the system were well fitted to a pseudo-second-order model, which indicates a faster kinetic sorption, by the composite. By comparison of the adsorption capacity of MZC to zeolite A, it was concluded that the iron oxide contributed to the uptake of Cs+ and Sr2+. After each adsorption experiment, the magnetic composite was efficiently separated from the solution by an easy, fast and simple magnetic separation process by a permanent magnet.