The characterization of Pahae Natural Zeolite and its application on ammonium removal

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the morphology and structure of Natural Zeolite obtained from Pahae, Tapanuli Utara, Indonesia. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the zeolite contained primarily mordenite and clinoptilolite crystals. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated the presence of TO4 ([SiO4]−4 and [AlO4]−5 groups), which appeared at a wavenumber of 1045.42 cm−1 and shifted to 1037.30 cm−1 after the hydrothermal process. Furthermore, porosity testing demonstrated that the samples exhibited higher porosity values with increasing hydrothermal temperature, leading to enhanced water adsorption. Chemical composition analysis using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) revealed an increase in silicate content from Pahae Natural Zeolite (PNZ) to Pahae Natural Zeolite–Hydrothermal Activated (PNZ-HA).