Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Synthesis of pure NaA zeolites from coal fly ashes for ammonium removal from aqueous solutions

  • Review
  • Published:
Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The pure NaA zeolites used as adsorbents for ammonium removal were successfully synthesized from coal fly ash by means of alkaline fusion followed by hydrothermal treatment. The experiment samples were characterized in terms of X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Automated specific surface area and pore size analyzer. The results showed that the NaOH solution’s concentration, reaction temperature, and reaction time had significant effects on the species of the zeolite phases. Well-ordered cubic NaA zeolite with Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface areas of 41.6 m2/g was prepared in 3 M NaOH solution at 353 K for 3 h. The adsorption behavior of NH4 + from aqueous solution onto NaA zeolites was investigated at different initial concentrations, pH values, and contact times. The adsorbent equilibrium could be reached within 60 min, and the maximum removal efficiency of NH4 + was achieved at pH 7.0. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models were also applied to describe the equilibrium isotherms. The obtained results show that the experimental data have a better (R 2 = 0.99) fit to Freundlich model and the adsorption of NH4 + ions using synthesized NaA zeolite is favorable.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahmaruzzaman M (2010) A review on the utilization of fly ash. Prog Energy Combust Sci 36:327–363

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blissett R, Rowson N (2012) A review of the multi-component utilisation of coal fly ash. Fuel 97:1–23

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bukhari SS, Behin J, Kazemian H, Rohani S (2015) Conversion of coal fly ash to zeolite utilizing microwave and ultrasound energies: a review. Fuel 140:250–266

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cardoso AM, Paprocki A, Ferret LS, Azevedo CMN, Pires M (2015) Synthesis of zeolite Na-P1 under mild conditions using Brazilian coal fly ash and its application in wastewater treatment. Fuel 139:59–67. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2014.08.016

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fedosov DA, Smirnov AV, Shkirskiy VV, Voskoboynikov T, Ivanova II (2015) Methanol dehydration in NaA zeolite membrane reactor. J Membrane Sci 486:189–194

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Franus W, Wdowin M, Franus M (2014) Synthesis and characterization of zeolites prepared from industrial fly ash. Environ Monit Assess 186:5721–5729

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang HM, Xiao XM, Yan B, Yang LP (2010) Ammonium removal from aqueous solutions by using natural Chinese (Chende) zeolite as adsorbent. J Hazard Mater 175:247–252

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hui K, Chao C (2006) Effects of step-change of synthesis temperature on synthesis of zeolite 4A from coal fly ash. Microporous Mesoporous Mater 88:145–151

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Izidoro JdC, Fungaro DA, Abbott JE, Wang S (2013) Synthesis of zeolites X and A from fly ashes for cadmium and zinc removal from aqueous solutions in single and binary ion systems. Fuel 103:827–834

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Izquierdo M, Querol X (2012) Leaching behaviour of elements from coal combustion fly ash: an overview. Int J Coal Geol 94:54–66

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khosravi A, Esmhosseini M, Khezri S (2014) Removal of ammonium ion from aqueous solutions using natural zeolite: kinetic, equilibrium and thermodynamic studies. Res Chem Intermed 40:2905–2917

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee J, Li J, Jagiello J (2005) Gas sorption properties of microporous metal organic frameworks. J Solid State Chem 178:2527–2532

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li J, Zhan YH, Lin JW, Jiang A, Xi W (2014) Removal of bisphenol A from aqueous solution using cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB)-modified natural zeolites as adsorbents. Environ Earth Sci 72:3969–3980

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu XD, Wang YP, Cui XM, He Y, Mao J (2013) Influence of synthesis parameters on NaA zeolite crystals. Powder Technol 243:184–193. doi:10.1016/j.powtec.2013.03.048

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ma X, Yang J, Ma HW, Liu CJ, Zhang P (2015) Synthesis and characterization of analcime using quartz syenite powder by alkali-hydrothermal treatment. Microporous Mesoporous Mater 201:134–140

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maranon E, Ulmanu M, Fernandez Y, Anger I, Castrillón L (2006) Removal of ammonium from aqueous solutions with volcanic tuff. J Hazard Mater 137:1402–1409

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mihajlović MT, Lazarević SS, Janković-Častvan IM, Kovač J, Jokić BM, Janaćković DT, Petrović RD (2015) Kinetics, thermodynamics, and structural investigations on the removal of Pb2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+ from multicomponent solutions onto natural and Fe(III)-modified zeolites. Clean Technol Environ Policy 17:407–419

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murayama N, Yamamoto H, Shibata J (2002) Mechanism of zeolite synthesis from coal fly ash by alkali hydrothermal reaction. Int J Miner Process 64:1–17

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murayama N, Yoshida S, Takami Y, Yamamoto H, Shibata J (2003) Simultaneous removal of NH4 +and PO4 3− in aqueous solution and its mechanism by using zeolite synthesized from coal fly ash. Sep Sci Technol 38:113–130. doi:10.1081/ss-120016701

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Panitchakarn P, Laosiripojana N, Viriya-umpikul N, Pavasant P (2014) Synthesis of high-purity Na-A and Na-X zeolite from coal fly ash. J Air Waste Manag Assoc 64:586–596. doi:10.1080/10962247.2013.859184

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qian TT, Li JH (2014) Synthesis of Na-A zeolite from coal gangue with the in situ crystallization technique. Adv Powder Technol 26:98–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Querol X, Moreno N, Umana J, Alastuey A, Hernández E, López-Soler A, Plana F (2002) Synthesis of zeolites from coal fly ash: an overview. Int J Coal Geol 50:413–423

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Randall D, Tsui T (2002) Ammonia toxicity in fish. Mar Pollut Bull 45:17–23

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Remenárová L, Pipíška M, Florková E, Horník M, Rozložník M, Augustín J (2014) Zeolites from coal fly ash as efficient sorbents for cadmium ions. Clean Technol Environ 16:1551–1564. doi:10.1007/s10098-014-0728-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saltalı K, Sarı A, Aydın M (2007) Removal of ammonium ion from aqueous solution by natural Turkish (Yıldızeli) zeolite for environmental quality. J Hazard Mater 141:258–263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sapawe N et al (2013) Cost-effective microwave rapid synthesis of zeolite NaA for removal of methylene blue. Chem Eng J 229:388–398

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shoumkova A, Stoyanova V (2013) Zeolites formation by hydrothermal alkali activation of coal fly ash from thermal power station “Maritsa 3”, Bulgaria. Fuel 103:533–541

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Toor UA, Han DW, Kim DJ (2015) Effect of organics on nitrous oxide emission during wastewater nitrification with enriched nitrifiers. Int Biodeter Biodegr. doi:10.1016/j.ibiod.20015.03.011

    Google Scholar 

  • Wajima T, Munakata K (2013) Preparation of zeolitic material with simultaneous removal of NH4 + and PO4 3− from paper sludge ash via acid leaching. J Mater Cycles Waste Manage 16:367–372. doi:10.1007/s10163-013-0183-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang CY, Zhou JT, He JK, Hao CS, Pan YZ, Meng CG (2012) Synthesis of zeolite A and its application as a high-capacity cadmium ion exchanger. Chin J Catal (Chinese Version) 33:1862–1869. doi:10.3724/sp.j.1088.2012.20835 (In Chinese)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang XG, Lü SY, Gao CM, Xu XB, Zhang XJ, Bai X et al (2014) Highly efficient adsorption of ammonium onto palygorskite nanocomposite and evaluation of its recovery as a multifunctional slow-release fertilizer. Chem Eng J 252:404–414. doi:10.1016/j.cej.2014.04.097

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wdowin M, Franus M, Panek R, Badura L, Franus W (2014) The conversion technology of fly ash into zeolites. Clean Technol Environ 16:1217–1223

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wimalasiri Y, Mossad M, Zou L (2015) Thermodynamics and kinetics of adsorption of ammonium ions by graphene laminate electrodes in capacitive deionization. Desalination 357:178–188. doi:10.1016/j.desal.2014.11.015

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu DY, Hu ZB, Wang XZ, He SB, Kong HN (2007) Use of zeolitized coal fly ash in the simultaneous removal of ammonium and phosphate from aqueous solution. Front Environ Sci Eng China 1:213–220. doi:10.1007/s11783-007-0037-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xie J, Li CJ, Chi LN, Wu DY (2013) Chitosan modified zeolite as a versatile adsorbent for the removal of different pollutants from water. Fuel 103:480–485

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang J, Jiang ZQ, Ma HW, Su SQ, Wang MW, Li JH (2014a) The bauxite resource in China and advances in the techniques of extracting alumina from high-alumina coal fly ash. Earth Sci Front 21:313–324 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang K, Zhang X, Chao C, Zhang B, Liu JD (2014b) In-situ preparation of NaA zeolite/chitosan porous hybrid beads for removal of ammonium from aqueous solution. Carbohydr Polym 107:103–109

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yao ZT, Ji XS, Sarker PK, Tang JH, Ge LQ, Xia MS, Xi YQ (2015) A comprehensive review on the applications of coal fly ash. Earth-Sci Rev 141:105–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu CJ, Li HQ, Jia XP, Chen B, Li Q, Zhang JF (2015) Heavy metal flows in multi-resource utilization of high-alumina coal fly ash: a substance flow analysis. Clean Technol Environ 17:757–766

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, Tang DX, Jiang GJ (2013) Synthesis of zeolite NaA at room temperature: the effect of synthesis parameters on crystal size and its size distribution. Adv Powder Technol 24:689–696

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao YF, Zhang B, Zhang X, Wang JH, Liu JD, Chen RF (2010) Preparation of highly ordered cubic NaA zeolite from halloysite mineral for adsorption of ammonium ions. J Hazard Mater 178:658–664

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng H, Han L, Ma H, Zheng Y, Zhang H, Liu D, Liang S (2008) Adsorption characteristics of ammonium ion by zeolite 13X. J Hazard Mater 158:577–584. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.01.115

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou L, Chen YL, Zhang XH, Tian FM, Zu Z (2014) Zeolites developed from mixed alkali modified coal fly ash for adsorption of volatile organic compounds. Mater Lett 119:140–142

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the funds from the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China (2652015016, 2652014017, 2652015015).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China

    Zhouqing Jiang, Jing Yang, Hongwen Ma, Xi Ma & Jiangyan Yuan

  2. Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, Chia University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China

    Zhouqing Jiang & Xi Ma

Authors
  1. Zhouqing Jiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jing Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hongwen Ma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xi Ma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jiangyan Yuan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jing Yang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Jiang, Z., Yang, J., Ma, H. et al. Synthesis of pure NaA zeolites from coal fly ashes for ammonium removal from aqueous solutions. Clean Techn Environ Policy 18, 629–637 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-015-1072-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-015-1072-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation