Hydrothermal modification of natural zeolite and its application in anti‐inflammatory removal

BACKGROUNDNatural zeolite's inefficiency in removing organic compounds has been a significant challenge in water treatment. To address this, this study focuses on an innovative and efficient hydrothermal process for altering the zeolitic structure. The study aimed to determine the optimal conditions for hydrothermal zeolite treatment to remove diclofenac, thereby contributing to the expansion of zeolite's potential use in water treatment.RESULTSThe study found that modification temperature significantly affected diclofenac removal, whereas cetrimonium bromide (CTAB) concentration impacted modification yield. The conditions (150 °C, 0.374 gCTAB/gzeolite, for 6 h) were selected for their mildness and effectiveness. Characterization showed a reduction in micropores, development of mesopores and an increase in clinoptilolite content while maintaining crystallinity. Fourier transform infrared analysis and zeta potential measurements confirmed the surfactant's presence. Adsorption tests indicated that pH, except at extremely basic levels, did not affect diclofenac removal, highlighting the method's industrial applicability. The kinetic study revealed slower adsorption influenced by intraparticle diffusion. Equilibrium studies indicated spontaneous, exothermic adsorption as a result of stronger interactions between the modified adsorbent and diclofenac. The maximum adsorption capacity was 11.15 mg g−1, with hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions enhancing drug removal efficiency compared to unmodified zeolite.CONCLUSIONThe findings demonstrate the significant potential of hydrothermal modification with CTAB for using natural zeolites in wastewater treatment through adsorption. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).