Natural Zeolite Clinoptilolite Application in Wastewater Treatment: Methylene Blue, Zinc and Cadmium Abatement Tests and Kinetic Studies

In recent decades, several abatement techniques have been proposed for organic dyes and metal cations. In this scenario, adsorption is the most known and studied. Clinoptilolite was considered, since it is a zeolite with a relatively low cost (200–600 $ tons(−1)) compared to the most well-known adsorbent used in wastewater treatment. In this work, Clinoptilolite was used for the adsorption of Methylene Blue (MB) at three different concentrations, namely, 100, 200, and 250 ppm. Furthermore, the adsorption capacity of the natural zeolite was compared with that of Activated Charcoal (250 ppm of MB). The two adsorbents were characterized by complementary techniques, such as N(2) physisorption at −196 °C, X-ray diffraction, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. During the adsorption tests, Clinoptilolite exhibited the best adsorption capacities at 100 ppm: the abatement reached 98% (t = 15 min). Both Clinoptilolite and Activated Charcoal, at 250 ppm, exhibited the same adsorption capacities, namely, 96%. Finally, at 250 ppm MB, the adsorption capacity of Clinoptilolite was analyzed with the copresence of Zn(2+) and Cd(2+) (10 ppm), and the adsorption capacities were compared with those of Activated Charcoal. The results showed that both adsorbents achieved 100% MB abatement (t = 40 min). However, cation adsorption reached a plateau after 120 min (Zn(2+) = 86% and 57%; Cd(2+) = 53% and 50%, for Activated Charcoal and Clinoptilolite, respectively) due to the preferential adsorption of MB molecules. Furthermore, kinetic studies were performed to fully investigate the adsorption mechanism. It was evidenced that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model is effective in describing the adsorption mechanism of both adsorbents, highlighting the chemical interaction between the adsorbent and adsorbate.