Conversion of Natural Clinoptilolite to SAPo and investigation its anion exchange properties

Nitrate is an anion of major importance particularly in biological areas. Excessive amounts in water supplies indicate pollution from sewage or agricultural effluents. The effects of excessive quantities of nitrate in water are well known. In this research structural modification of natural clinoptilolite by isomorphic substitution was performed. Isomorphously substituted zeolite, silicoaluminophosphate (SAPo) was prepared under melting conditions from natural clinoptilolite. It was characterized by XRD, XRF, FT-IR, DTG and SEM techniques. The characterization process revealed that product is different from AlPo. Ion exchange property of the new modified product was studied for NO3 -, NO2 - and F- ion. The uptake of F- was higher than those of NO3 - and NO2 -. Anion exchange Isotherms were constructed for NO3 - and discussed. The ion exchange chromatography and neutron activation technique were used to study the extent of the exchange.