Adsorption of triclosan, trichlorophenol and phenol by high-silica zeolites: Adsorption efficiencies and mechanisms

High-silica zeolites can be used for adsorption of organic compounds (OCs) from water. The adsorption efficacy could vary with the properties of OCs, as well as the porous and surface features of high-silica zeolites. In this study, the adsorption of triclosan, trichlorophenol (TCP) and phenol by ten high-silica zeolites were investigated. The plateaus of adsorption isotherms were observed in the adsorption of triclosan. The maximum adsorption capacity of triclosan could be related to the surface area and volume of micropores. The adsorption of TCP by FAU zeolites gave an S-shaped isotherm due to the possible lateral interactions of TCP molecules in the specific pore topology of FAU zeolites. The adsorption of phenol by high-silica zeolites had no adsorption plateau. Zeolites with channel structures, e.g. MFI zeolites, possess closely fitted pores for phenol, which slightly promoted its adsorption efficacy. The active adsorption sites of zeolites, i.e. Bronsted acid sites (BAS) and Lewis acid sites (LAS) failed to promote phenol adsorption. Phenol adsorption was favoured by carbon-based adsorbents with aromatic rings and functional groups, e.g. carboxyl and carbonyl, while the lack of active adsorption sites limited the phenol adsorption by high-silica zeolites, especially at the low concentration range.