Porosity, characterization and structural properties of natural zeolite - clinoptilolite - as a sorbent

The characterization and porous structure of raw and modified clinoptilolite as a sorbent has been investigated by nitrogen adsorption, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy methods. The nitrogen adsorption data revealed that the total pore volume and specific surface area were increased after modification. The nitrogen adsorption was used to determine percent of mesoporosity. The TG data show that 14 wt. % of clinoptilolite is lost after heating up to 1200 °C. Two types of porosities - primary porosity (microporosity) and secondary one (meso- and macroporosity) have been observed.