Substantial Copper (Cu(2+)) Uptake by Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer and Its Resistance to Acid Leaching and Ion Exchange

Geopolymers are inorganic, chemically resistant aluminosilicate-based binding agents, which remove hazardous metal ions from exposed aqueous media. However, the removal efficiency of a given metal ion and the potential ion remobilization have to be assessed for individual geopolymers. Therefore, copper ions (Cu(2+)) were removed by a granulated, metakaolin-based geopolymer (GP) in water matrices. Subsequent ion exchange and leaching tests were used to determine the mineralogical and chemical properties as well as the resistance of the Cu(2+)-bearing GPs to corrosive aquatic environments. Experimental results indicate the pH of the reacted solutions to have a significant impact on the Cu(2+) uptake systematics: the removal efficiency ranged from 34–91% at pH 4.1–5.7 up to ~100% at pH 11.1–12.4. This is equivalent to Cu(2+) uptake capacities of up to 193 mg/g and 560 mg/g in acidic versus alkaline media. The uptake mechanism was governed by Cu(2+)-substitution for alkalis in exchangeable GP sites and by co-precipitation of gerhardtite (Cu(2)(NO(3))(OH)(3)) or tenorite (CuO) and spertiniite (Cu(OH)(2)). All Cu-GPs showed excellent resistance to ion exchange (Cu(2+) release: 0–2.4%) and acid leaching (Cu(2+) release: 0.2–0.7%), suggesting that tailored GPs have a high potential to immobilize Cu(2+) ions from aquatic media.