Interaction mechanism of heavy metal ions with the nanostructured zeolites surface – Adsorption, electrokinetic and XPS studies

The aim of the research was to compare the mechanisms of heavy metal ions (Pb(II) and Zn(II)) adsorption on the surfaces of nanostructured synthetic zeolites: Na-X, Na-P1, their carbon composites: Na-X (C), Na-P1 (C) and the precursor of these structures - high-carbon fly ash (HC FA). The research was carried out in single and mixed adsorbate systems. Heavy metals were selected on the basis of their toxicity and their occurrence in the natural environment. The adsorption–desorption and electrokinetic data were obtained by means of inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, potentiometric titrations and zeta potential determination. Additionally, the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was applied to specify the elemental composition of the solids surfaces and the chemical forms of adsorbed metals.