High-silica zeolites for adsorption of organic micro-pollutants in water treatment

A review

Review (2018)
Author(s)

Nan Jiang (TU Delft - Sanitary Engineering)

R. Shang (TU Delft - Sanitary Engineering)

Sebastian G.J. Heijman (TU Delft - Sanitary Engineering)

Luuk Rietveld (TU Delft - Sanitary Engineering)

Research Group
Sanitary Engineering
Copyright
© 2018 N. Jiang, R. Shang, Sebastiaan Heijman, L.C. Rietveld
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2018.07.017
More Info
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Publication Year
2018
Language
English
Copyright
© 2018 N. Jiang, R. Shang, Sebastiaan Heijman, L.C. Rietveld
Research Group
Sanitary Engineering
Volume number
144
Pages (from-to)
145-161
Reuse Rights

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Abstract

High-silica zeolites have been found to be effective adsorbents for the removal of organic micro-pollutants (OMPs) from impaired water, including various pharmaceuticals, personal care products, industrial chemicals, etc. In this review, the properties and fundamentals of high-silica zeolites are summarised. Recent research on mechanisms and efficiencies of OMP adsorption by high-silica zeolites are reviewed to assess the potential opportunities and challenges for the application of high-silica zeolites for OMP adsorption in water treatment. It is concluded that the adsorption capacities are well-related to surface hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity and structural features, e.g. micropore volume and pore size of high-silica zeolites, as well as the properties of OMPs. By using high-silica zeolites, the undesired competitive adsorption of background organic matter (BOM) in natural water could potentially be prevented. In addition, oxidative regeneration could be applied on-site to restore the adsorption capacity of zeolites for OMPs and prevent the toxic residues from re-entering the environment.