Increasing the adsorption capabilitiy of mordenite and Y zeolites via post‐synthesis chemical/physical treatments in order to remove cationic dyes from polluted water.

Different post‐synthesis approaches were used to increase the adsorption abilities of zeolite mordenite and Y in removal of cationic dye molecules as typical dyestuff pollutants. Various methods including acid leaching, alkaline treatment, dealumination with hexafluorosilicate, sonication and combination of them were employed to alter the porous structure of various types of selected zeolites. The dealumination (due to acid leaching), desilication (due to alkaline treatment) and disintegration (due to shear forces generated by ultrasound waves) were responsible for the alteration of pores size and accessibility in mordenite. Acid leaching combined with irradiation of ultrasound was found to be most effective technique in adsorption of rhodamine B as a large dye molecule into mordenite. In the case of zeolite Y, a chemical treatment with ammonium hexafluorosilicate resulted in considerable improvement of adsorption of rhodamine B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]