Adsorption is an effective method for removal of environmental contaminants from polluted water.  Zeolites are porous aluminosilicates or silicates.  Nanoscale zeolites (crystal sizes less than 100 nm) have large internal and external surface areas, which make surface modification an effective method for tailoring these materials for adsorption. Varying the surface properties of the nanoscale zeolite improves the adsorption properties by creating favorable interactions with the environmental contaminant.  For example, protonated amine groups may lead to an electrostatic interaction with anionic contaminant species, such as arsenate and chromate. Nanoscale zeolites, such as Y and silicalite, were synthesized and functionalized with organosilanes.  Solution NMR methods for studying the interface between the nanoscale zeolite and the environmental contaminant are being developed and preliminary results will be presented. Functionalized nanocrystalline zeolites were evaluated for removal of anions, such as chromate and arsenate, and metals, such as copper, from aqueous solution.

Adsorption of environmental contaminants on nanoscale zeolites

241st National Meeting (2011)

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