Removal of Nickel(II) from Aqueous Solutions by Adsorption with Modified ZSM‐ 5 Zeolites

The sorptive removal of nickel ion from aqueous solutions using modified ZSM‐5 zeolites was investigated. Experiments were carried out as a function of solute concentration and different temperatures. Mesoporous material of ZSM‐5 zeolite was modified with phosphoric acid by wet method. The modified zeolite was converted to Na + form using aqueous NaHCO 3 solution. The Na + form of modified zeolite, represented as PNa 2- ‐ZSM‐5 was characterized by XRD, BET, SEM and AAS techniques. It was then tested for ion exchange with aqueous Ni(SO 4 ) solution. The Ni 2+ content of the solution was analyzed by AAS. Phosphoric acid modified PNa 2- ‐ZSM‐5 zeolite shows higher adsorption capacity than the parent Na‐Y zeolite. Equilibrium modeling data were fit to linear Langmuir model then the Freundlich model. These parameter confirmed that sorption of Ni 2+ is feasible spontaneous and endothermic.