A spectroscopic investigation for the adsorption of 4-nitrophenol onto synthetic zeolites

In this study, the characterization and environmental applications of faujasite type zeolites (NaX, NaY) are investigated using different instruments. Vibrational spectroscopy is used to a large extent in this research to characterize the zeolite materials and after the adsorption process. 4-nitrophenol was adsorbed on NaX and NaY zeolite and adsorption process was investigated by vibrational spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Vibrational spectroscopic results showed that source of the adsorption is weak hydrogen bonding between zeolite surface silanol groups and OH group of 4-nitrophenol. This study was made to remove phenolic organics as possible substitutes for synthetic zeolites. SEM studies revealed the morphological observations of the unloaded zeolites and thereby changes in the adsorbed zeolites.