Stellerite-seeded facile synthesis of zeolite X with excellent aqueous Cd2+ and Ni2+ adsorption performance

Zeolite X was synthesized by a two-step hydrothermal method using natural stellerite zeolite as the silicon seed, and its adsorption performance for Cd²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions was experimentally and comprehensively investigated. The effects of pH, zeolite X dosage, contact time, and temperature on adsorption performance for Cd²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions over were studied. The adsorption process was endothermic and spontaneous, and followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic and the Langmuir isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacitiesfor Cd²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions at 298 K were 173.553 and 75.897 mg·g^-1, respectively. Ion exchange and precipitation were the principal mechanisms for the removal of Cd²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions by zeolite X, followed by electrostatic adsorption. Ion exchange was the principal mechanisms for the removal of Ni²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions by zeolite X, followed by electrostatic adsorption and precipitation. The zeolite X converted from stellerite zeolite has a low n(Si/Al), abundant hydroxyl groups, and high crystallinity and purity, imparting a good adsorption performance for Cd²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions. This study suggests that zeolite X converted from stellerite zeolite could be a useful environmentally-friendly and effective tool for the removal of Cd²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions.