Characterization of natural zeolite and evaluation of its adsorption capacity

The demand for zeolites has been steadily increasing due to zeolite has various range of applications that contribute significant economic value including catalysis, wastewater treatment, industries, agriculture, gas separation, and other environmental remediation. The structure and properties of the zeolite samples were characterized by using different analytical techniques which discloses information on the physiochemical, phase identification, elemental composition, surface morphology, texture, and microstructure of materials surface morphologies, thermal stability of zeolite product. All are related to removal efficiency of heavy metals ions from solution. The result confirm that the natural zeolite was identified as clinoptilolite, with minor impurities such as quartz and clay minerals. Zeolite crystals showed an irregular, plate-like morphology with a rough and porous surface. Visible pores and channels indicated a high surface area, suitable for adsorption. Occurrence of exchangeable cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺) enables the zeolite to effectively adsorb and exchange cations such as Fe3+, Cu2+, Pb2+ and Zn2+ from wastewater.