Advances in the Applications of Clinoptilolite-Rich Tuffs

Abstract

Adsorptive, catalytic, and antibacterial properties of clinoptilolite-rich tuffs (ZT) are presented here. ZT transformed into Fe-containing ZT (Fe-ZT) removes various organic and inorganic anions from water. Fe-ZT, which contains selenium, is beneficial for growing Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms. The fungi convert inorganic Se from Fe-ZT into a more useful organically bonded form. ZT and Fe-ZT as supplements retain nitrogen and potassium in sandy, silty loam and silty clay soils. ZT shows an affinity toward toxic metal cations, which are essential for cleaning contaminated water. The adsorption of atenolol, acetylsalicylic, and salicylic acid onto M-ZT (M–Cu2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, or Zn2+) from water solutions suggests that both the natures of M and pharmaceuticals have a significant impact on the adsorption mechanism and determine the adsorption capability of the ZT. ZT is an excellent carrier for ultrafine (2–5 nm) nano oxide particles, which have been shown to have catalytic activity in different chemical processes and photodegradation reactions of organic pollutants. ZT can also be transformed into SO4-SnO2-ZT, which is catalytically active as a solid acid. M-ZT is an effective carrier of valuable bacteria. Ag-ZT possesses beneficial bactericidal activity in disinfecting water and soil remediation.

Use of Natural Zeolite Clinoptilolite in the Preparation of Photocatalysts and Its Role in Photocatalytic Activity

“…Cations in aqueous media are easily exchanged with those in the channels and cages of clinoptilolite [44]. With its open-framework structure, clinoptilolite has the unique capacity to be used as a nanoreactor due to its microporosity and cations' movability.…”

Validation of microwave acid digestion, diffusive gradients in thin-film preconcentration and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry methodology for the determination of REEs in natural zeolites

“…Although many published papers present the chemical composition of zeolites from different deposits, the concentrations of REEs are not reported. [20][21][22][23] Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) are two powerful spectrometric techniques for multielement analysis of trace REEs. 24,25 ICP-MS has the advantage of lower detection limits that are more appropriate for very low concentrations of naturally occurring REEs.…”

“…Although many published papers present the chemical composition of zeolites from different deposits, the concentrations of REEs are not reported. 20–23…”