Removal of bisphenol A from aqueous solution using cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB)-modified natural zeolites as adsorbents

Surfactant-modified natural zeolites (SMNZs) with different coverage types were prepared by loading cetylpyridinium bromide onto the surface of natural zeolites. The resulting SMNZs were characterized and used as adsorbents to remove bisphenol A (BPA) from aqueous solution. The monolayer and bilayer SMNZs were effective for removing BPA from aqueous solution. The BPA adsorption capacity for the monolayer SMNZ increased slightly with increasing pH from 4 to 9, but decreased significantly with increasing pH from 9 to 11. The BPA adsorption capacity for the bilayer SMNZ was relatively high at pH 9–10, but decreased with decreasing pH from 9 to 4 or increasing pH from 10 to 11. The equilibrium adsorption data of BPA on the monolayer and bilayer SMNZs under the experimental condition could be well described by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The adsorption kinetics of BPA on the monolayer and bilayer SMNZs followed a pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption of BPA on the monolayer and bilayer SMNZs took place in three different stages: a fast external surface adsorption, a gradual adsorption controlled by both the external mass transfer and the intra-particle diffusion, and a final equilibrium stage. The adsorption of BPA on the monolayer and bilayer SMNZs is spontaneous and exothermic. The mechanisms for BPA adsorption onto the monolayer SMNZ at pH 4–11 include the hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bonding. The mechanisms for BPA adsorption onto the bilayer SMNZ at pH 4–8 include the organic partitioning and hydrogen bonding. The mechanisms for BPA adsorption onto the bilayer SMNZ at pH 8–11 include the organic partitioning, hydrogen bonding and electrostatic attraction.