Opportunities for Recycling PV Glass and Coal Fly Ash into Zeolite Materials Used for Removal of Heavy Metals (Cd, Cu, Pb) from Wastewater

This work shows the development and characterization of two zeolite structures by recycling PV glass and coal fly ash for the removal of cadmium, copper, and lead from synthetic solutions containing one or three cations. The materials were characterized in terms of crystalline structure (XRD), morphology (SEM, AFM), and specific surface. For increasing the heavy-metals removal efficiency, the adsorption conditions, such as substrate dosage, preliminary concentration, and contact time, were optimized. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model adsorption kinetics fit well to describe the activity of the zeolites ZFAGPV-A and ZFAGPV-S. The zeolite adsorption equilibrium data were expressed using Langmuir and Freundlich models. The highest adsorption capacities of the ZFAGPV-A zeolite are q(maxCd) = 55.56 mg/g, q(maxCu) = 60.11 mg/g, q(maxPb) = 175.44 mg/g, and of ZFAGPV-S, are q(maxCd) = 33.45 mg/g, q(maxCu) = 54.95 mg/g, q(maxPb) = 158.73 mg/g, respectively. This study demonstrated a new opportunity for waste recycling for applications in removing toxic heavy metals from wastewater.

Automated summary

This study developed two zeolite structures by recycling PV glass and coal fly ash for the removal of cadmium, copper, and lead from synthetic solutions. The materials were characterized and the adsorption conditions were optimized for enhanced removal efficiency. The zeolite adsorption equilibrium data were described using Langmuir and Freundlich models, and the highest adsorption capacities were determined. This research highlights the potential of waste recycling in removing toxic heavy metals from wastewater.