Advancing Environmental Protection: Monolithic Bentonite and Zeolite-Clay Adsorbents for Fe2+ Ion Removal

Clay minerals possess substantial potential for developing innovative functional materials, particularly in the context of environmental protection. This study focuses on the adsorbent zeolite-clay and bentonite-clay, shaped into honeycomb monoliths to efficiently remove Fe2+ ions from water. The process involved physically activating powdered zeolite-clay and bentonite-clay through calcination at 600°C. The activated materials were then mixed with distilled water and molded into monolithic shapes through extrusion with stainless steel molds, resulting in cylindrical structures measuring 1.8 cm in diameter and 2 cm in height, featuring 40 perforations. Mechanical characterization aimed to evaluate structural strength and assess pressure drop during operation, revealing superior mechanical strength in bentonite-clay compared to zeolite-clay. The monolithic form exhibited lower pressure drop during operation compared to pellet adsorbents. In terms of adsorption performance, a batch reactor assessed efficiency, isotherm, and kinetics with 2 and 4 ppm Fe2+ ion solutions over a 240-minute period. The zeolite-clay monolith demonstrated the highest capacity, achieving a removal efficiency of up to 65%. Maximal adsorption capacities for bentonite-clay and zeolite-clay were 0.209 and 0.289 mg/g, respectively, with corresponding Langmuir adsorption equilibrium constants (KL) of 0.187 and 0.181 L/g by the Langmuir isotherm model. Kinetic analysis favored the pseudo-first-order non-linear model, indicating rates for zeolite-clay and bentonite-clay adsorbents at 2 and 4 ppm Fe2+ ion concentrations of 0.0043, 0.0030, 0.0039, and 0.0038 min-1. This study signifies a significant advancement in solid adsorbents, optimizing the adsorption process for broader applications.