Alumina nanoparticles immobilization onto the NaX zeolite and the removal of Cr (III) and Co (II) ions from aqueous solutions

Abstract

The immobilization of alumina nanoparticles onto the NaX zeolite granules, using the sol-gel and a physical method, for the removal of Cr (III) and Co (II) was investigated. Alumina nanoparticles immobilized zeolite (ANIZ) was characterized by SEM/EDX, XRD and AAS. The results suggested the formation of nanoscale alumina (~30-50. nm) on the zeolite (loading ~8-10. wt%) and the stability of the zeolite structure after the immobilization of alumina nanoparticles. ANIZ showed a good capacity for the removal of metal ions. Kinetic and equilibrium data were best fitted with the pseudo second order model and the Langmuir model respectively. © 2014 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry.