Coal bottom ash derived zeolite (SSZ-13) for the sorption of synthetic anion Alizarin Red S (ARS) dye

SSZ-13 zeolite was successfully synthesized from coal bottom ash (CBA) upon hydrothermal treatment for selective sorption of Alizarin Red S (ARS) dye. The characterization of CBA, and SSZ-13 were performed using BET, SEM, FTIR, XRF, and XRD techniques. The optimal fusion ratio (CBA: NaOH) was identified as 1:3, resulting zeolite SSZ-13 with a specific surface area of 206.6 m²/g, compared to raw CBA (7.81 m²/g). The kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics of the ARS adsorption onto the SSZ-13, and CBA were assessed under various conditions. The results indicated that the adsorption phenomenon is optimal under acidic medium (pH = 2 for CBA, pH = 3 for SSZ-13); at ambient room temperature of 298 K; adsorbent dosage of 0.03 g, contact time of 120 min. Further, the equilibrium data fitted well to Langmuir isotherm (q_e = 210.75 mg/g), following pseudo-second-order kinetics. Moreover, the chemisorption phenomenon is clearly described using Elovich kinetic model. Various thermodynamic parameters signifies the adsorption phenomenon is spontaneous, and endothermic in nature. Finally, regeneration studies revealed the sensitivity of SSZ-13 zeolite towards 0.1 M NaOH/EtOH eluent in recovery and the possibility of reuse to five successive adsorption/desorption cycles. Thus, hydrothermal treatment of CBA has potential in producing zeolites suitable to adsorption.