Green nanomaterial-based adsorbent for Cs and Pb removal: Synthesis from industrial waste producing high-value products

ABSTRACT

The search for a sustainable society makes necessary the reuse of residues contributing to the producing high-value product. Producing new materials with high-added value increases technological development and builds up new applications. The present study aimed to use residue from the alumina industry and coal ash generated in thermal plants in energy production to synthesize zeolite for wastewater treatment to remove Cs and Pb. Two types of nanomaterials were synthesized: zeolite 4A (ZEA) and zeolite sodalite (ZSD). The Cs adsorption efficiency achieved 73% and 9.4% for ZEA and ZSD, respectively, fitting better for Lineweaver-Burk isotherm and both zeolites removed 100% of Pb from synthetic solutions. Results here reported may be used to design novel wastewater treatment systems from nuclear plants and other industrial processes. The present study can contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 9, 11, and 12.

Highlights

• Cs removal achieved 73% for ZEA fitting better for Lineweaver-Burk isotherm

• Nanozeolites were obtained from alumina industry residue

• Nanomaterials were capable to remove elements present in nuclear wastewater

• Removal of Pb achieved 100% by both zeolites

KEYWORDS:

• Aluminum residue
• nanomaterials synthesis
• Cs removal
• Pb removal

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo and Capes (grants: 2018/03483-6, 2019/11866-5, 2021/14842-0, 2023/01032-5 São Paulo Research Foundation) and IPEN for the financial support. This project was developed with the support of SemeAd (FEAUSP), FIA Fundação Instituto de Administração and Cactvs Instituto de Pagamento S.A. through the granting of assistance to a research project Bolsa SemeAd PQ Jr (Public Notice 2021.01).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/01496395.2024.2349188

Data and code availability

The data can be accessed by https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.24152184.v1.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo [2019/11866-5]; Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo [2023/01032-5]; Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo [2021/14842-0]; Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo [2018/03483-6].