Microwave-assisted synthesis of coal fly ash-based zeolites for removal of ammonium from urine

Boitumelo Makgabutlane, Lebea N. Nthunya, Nicholas Musyoka, Bongumusa S. Dladla, Edward N. Nxumalo, Sabelo D. Mhlanga

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

39 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Zeolites synthesized from biomass waste materials offer a great opportunity in the sustainable utilization of the waste. In this work, energy-efficient processes (i.e. microwave and ultrasound irradiation) were used to synthesize pure phase sodalite (zeolite) from coal fly ash obtained from a power plant in South Africa. The pure-phase sodalite was obtained with a comparatively higher surface area (16 m2 g-1) and cation exchange capacity (2.92 meq. g-1) with 40 min total reaction time. The removal of ammonium from urine was carried out using (i) the coal fly ash-derived sodalite, (ii) raw coal fly ash and (iii) a commercially available natural zeolite (clinoptilolite). The pure phase sodalite exhibited the highest removal efficiency of about 82% and 73% in synthetic and real hydrolyzed urine respectively. The adsorption process followed the pseudo second-order kinetic model and the Freundlich adsorption isotherm, indicating that the adsorption process occurred on a heterogeneous surface.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2416-2427
Number of pages12
JournalRSC Advances
Volume10
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering

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