Removal of phenolic compounds from wastewaters by using synthesized Fe-nano zeolite

Abstract

This study investigated the adsorbent feasibility of Fe-nano zeolite (Fe-NZ) for the treatment of phenolic compounds in wastewaters. The maximum adsorption capacities of phenol (Ph), 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) and 2-nitrophenol (2-NP) using Fe-NZ were 138.7, 158.9 and 171.2 mg/g, respectively. From analyzing the regeneration characteristics of organic pollutant-loaded Fe-NZ, the desorption efficiencies of Ph, 2-CP and 2-NP were maintained at 46.3, 50.9 and 55.7 %, respectively, even after 10 adsorption-desorption cycles. When Fe-NZ and activated carbon (AC) were applied for the removal of Ph, 2-CP and 2-NP in wastewater at high concentrations of 425, 327 and 368 mg/L, the removal efficiencies were 62.3, 70.1 and 82.5 %, respectively, which were much higher than those of AC alone (45.9, 61.5 and 68.7 %, respectively). The cost for the adsorption treatment of wastewaters containing the three phenolic compounds was much lower using Fe-NZ than using AC. These results demonstrate the promising potential of Fe-NZ as a low-cost and effective adsorbent for removing phenolic compounds in wastewaters.