Equilibrium Studies of Sodium-Ammonium,Potassium-Ammonium,and Calcium-Ammonium Exchanges on Clinoptilolite Zeolite

Abstract

Forward and reverse ion-exchange isotherms for the binary sodium-ammonium, potassium-ammonium, and calcium-ammonium systems on clinoptilolite have been measured in aqueous solutions at a total concentration of 0.1 equiv/dm³ and at 298 K. Prior to exchange experiments it was attempted to prepare homoionic forms of the zeolite by exhaustive treatments with appropriate salt solutions of cations. With no binary exchanges, full replacement of the cation by the ammonium ion is observed, which conflicts with some earlier work on clinoptilolite. Despite the observed partial exchange levels, clinoptilolite shows a very high preference for ammonium ion over sodium and calcium but not over potassium. Thermodynamic values for the exchanges were calculated and compared with data in the literature. Both the selectivity and thermodynamic affinity sequence, in agreement with previous work reported in the literature, are K⁺ > NH⁺ ₄ > Na⁺ > Ca²⁺.