Swelling and removal of metal in zeolit alam lampung (ZAL) using a swelling agent C15H32

Abstract

Natural Zeolite, especially Zeolit Alam Lampung (ZAL) from Indonesia is a natural zeolite with a clinoptilatite-type crystal with a hollow structure. One option in modifying ZAL in the chemical field, especially catalysts and adsorbents, is the swelling method. The challenge of swelling in ZAL is the content of alkali and alkaline earth metals (Na, Mg, K, Ca), transition metals (Fe and Cu), and the Si/Al ratio of 5.9, which will influence the structure of the swelled ZAL. The selection of swelling agents with isomers of aromatic and alkane groups at C15H32 has two functions: a swelling agent and a removal agent for alkali metals, alkaline earth, and transition metals. The ability of C15H32 can break Si-O-T and Al-O-T bonds without adversely affecting the crystal structure of ZAL Swelling. SEM EDX results showed that the highest decrease in alkali and alkaline earth metal content occurred in Na and Ca metals, which amounted to 42.6% and 43.3%, respectively. The same condition also occurred in Fe and Cu transition metals, which decreased to 59.3% and 52.3%, respectively. Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) analysis showed an increase in Average pore Radius in ZAL Swelling by 35.6% (95.8442 Å) compared to ZAL of 70.6596 Å.