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The Efficiency of Volcanic Tuff-Based Foamed Geopolymer for Heavy Metals Removal: A Parametric Study

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Abstract

In this study, natural volcanic tuff-based foamed geopolymer was synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for its efficiency to remove heavy metals (zinc and lead) from wastewater. Sodium hydroxide was used as an alkaline activator to dissolve the constituents and form geopolymeric binders. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was used as a foaming agent at different levels (0%, 1%, and 2%). The effect of curing temperature (60, 80, and 100 °C) on the physical properties and the removal efficiency was evaluated with a pH ranging from 3 to 7 for lead removal and 5 to 7 for zinc removal. The physical properties include compressive strength, density, and microstructural characteristics. The results indicated that higher curing temperatures increase the compressive strength and removal efficiency of the geopolymer foam. Geopolymers that are prepared at a curing temperature of 100 °C exhibited the highest removal efficiency for both Pb2+ and Zn2+ ions. The addition of H2O2 refined the microstructural characteristics of the foamed geopolymer and increased the efficiency of the zinc removal process. Results revealed that as the pH increases, the removal efficiency also increases. This can be due to the competition between H+ and Pb2+ and Zn2+ ions on the available adsorption sites at low pH values. As the acidity of the solution decreases, this competition decreases and led to higher removal efficiency.

Article Highlights

  • Foam-based volcanic tuff geopolymer was synthesized and characterized.

  • The geopolymer efficiency for heavy metal removal was evaluated.

  • Increasing geopolymer curing temperature led to enhancing the removal efficiency.

  • Increasing the foaming agent dosage has enhanced the removal efficiency.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by the Deanship of Scientific Research and Graduate Studies at Yarmouk University under grant number 67/2021.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 21163, Jordan

    Faris Matalkah

  2. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 21163, Jordan

    Haneen Khraisat

  3. Department Chemistry, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 21163, Jordan

    Idrees Al-Momani

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  1. Faris Matalkah
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  2. Haneen Khraisat
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  3. Idrees Al-Momani
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Correspondence to Faris Matalkah.

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Matalkah, F., Khraisat, H. & Al-Momani, I. The Efficiency of Volcanic Tuff-Based Foamed Geopolymer for Heavy Metals Removal: A Parametric Study. Int J Environ Res 16, 67 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-022-00449-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-022-00449-y

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