Development of Calcium Rich Zeolite from Ahoko Kaolin for the Adsorption Study of Methylene Blue

Abstract

Abstract This work report the development of calcium rich zeolite A obtained through the process of ion exchange of sodium type Zeolite A synthesized from Ahoko kaolin at different ageing period and crystallization time using hydrothermal technique. The synthesised Zeolite was thereafter used for the adsorption of Methylene Blue (MB). The synthesised zeolite A (SZA) and calcium rich zeolite (CRZ) were characterized using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and the concentration of calcium present after ion exchange was analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The effects of pH, contact time, MB initial concentration and adsorbent dosage were studied for CRZ to investigate its adsorption capacity. The adsorption of MB increased with an increase in pH, contact time, MB initial concentration and adsorbent dosage. The equilibrium process was well described by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The Langmuir parameters maximum adsorption capacity qm (mg/g) and energy of adsorption Ka (L/mg) were obtained as 19.268 and 0.032 respectively. The regression parameters and correlation coefficient (R) indicate that the adsorption data for MB removal fit better with Langmuir isotherm model. The present work suggests that calcium rich zeolite material used as a sorbent material with relatively low cost, obtained from Ahoko Kaolin; is a good material for removal of dyes such as MB from wastewater.