Study of the potential of composite material based on zeolite and geopolymer as an adsorbent of toxic metals

Study of the potential of composite material based on zeolite and geopolymer as an adsorbent of toxic metals | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Study of the potential of composite material based on zeolite and geopolymer as an adsorbent of toxic metals Ricardo Jadson da Silva Nascimento, Inácio Cruz de Loiola, João Vitor Torres Sousa, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7755395/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 29 Apr, 2026 Read the published version in Environmental Science and Pollution Research → Version 1 posted 6 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The increasing generation of metallic effluents by the electroplating industry poses significant environmental challenges due to the toxicity and persistence of these contaminants. The present study evaluated a geopolymer-zeolite A composite adsorbent, synthesized from fly ash of steel mill furnaces, for the removal of Cu 2+ , Ni 2+ , and Zn 2+ ions from aqueous solutions. The synthesis yielded a material exhibiting the structural and morphological characteristics of both components, as confirmed by physicochemical characterization techniques. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted using a synthetic solution that represented electroplating effluents. In the kinetic studies, Cu 2+ demonstrated the highest initial adsorption rate, Zn 2+ exhibited the highest equilibrium capacity, and Ni 2+ performed poorly in both. The Sips model demonstrated the optimal compatibility with the isotherm data, thereby reflecting the heterogeneity of the adsorptive surface. Saturation of the sites was observed at approximately 150 mg·L − 1 , with maximum capacities of 162.393 mg·g − 1 (Zn 2+ ), 99.801 mg·g − 1 (Cu 2+ ) and 63.266 mg·g − 1 (Ni 2+ ). The initial concentration exerted a significant influence on the kinetics and removal efficiency, particularly in the case of Cu 2+ , which demonstrated a heightened sensitivity to the availability of ions. The highest removal percentages were achieved at the lowest initial concentration (0.8 mmol·L⁻¹): 34.7% (Cu 2+ ), 32.67% (Zn 2+ ), and 17.12% (Ni 2+ ). Ion exchange was identified as one of the primary mechanisms, as evidenced by the increase in Na⁺ concentration in the solution from 800 mg·L − 1 to 1,112 mg·L − 1 , indicating the release of this cation by the matrix in exchange for the metal ions. The findings suggest that the developed composite is a promising and sustainable alternative for treating metallic effluents. Adsorption Geopolymer Zeolite A Fly ash Heavy metal Full Text Supplementary Files ESPRsupplementarymaterial.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 29 Apr, 2026 Read the published version in Environmental Science and Pollution Research → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Major Revision 25 Jan, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 28 Oct, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 27 Oct, 2025 Editor invited by journal 15 Oct, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 08 Oct, 2025 First submitted to journal 03 Oct, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7755395","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":535667535,"identity":"29544fbc-8133-4b49-a24f-5b241de6ae23","order_by":0,"name":"Ricardo Jadson da Silva Nascimento","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Federal University of Ceara: Universidade Federal do Ceara","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ricardo","middleName":"Jadson da Silva","lastName":"Nascimento","suffix":""},{"id":535667536,"identity":"08554946-991a-4655-a869-a2b30ae55be2","order_by":1,"name":"Inácio Cruz de 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Research","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Adsorption, Geopolymer, Zeolite A, Fly ash, Heavy metal","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7755395/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7755395/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThe increasing generation of metallic effluents by the electroplating industry poses significant environmental challenges due to the toxicity and persistence of these contaminants. The present study evaluated a geopolymer-zeolite A composite adsorbent, synthesized from fly ash of steel mill furnaces, for the removal of Cu\u003csup\u003e2+\u003c/sup\u003e, Ni\u003csup\u003e2+\u003c/sup\u003e, and Zn\u003csup\u003e2+\u003c/sup\u003e ions from aqueous solutions. The synthesis yielded a material exhibiting the structural and morphological characteristics of both components, as confirmed by physicochemical characterization techniques. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted using a synthetic solution that represented electroplating effluents. In the kinetic studies, Cu\u003csup\u003e2+\u003c/sup\u003e demonstrated the highest initial adsorption rate, Zn\u003csup\u003e2+\u003c/sup\u003e exhibited the highest equilibrium capacity, and Ni\u003csup\u003e2+\u003c/sup\u003e performed poorly in both. The Sips model demonstrated the optimal compatibility with the isotherm data, thereby reflecting the heterogeneity of the adsorptive surface. Saturation of the sites was observed at approximately 150 mg\u0026middot;L\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e, with maximum capacities of 162.393 mg\u0026middot;g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e (Zn\u003csup\u003e2+\u003c/sup\u003e), 99.801 mg\u0026middot;g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e (Cu\u003csup\u003e2+\u003c/sup\u003e) and 63.266 mg\u0026middot;g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e (Ni\u003csup\u003e2+\u003c/sup\u003e). The initial concentration exerted a significant influence on the kinetics and removal efficiency, particularly in the case of Cu\u003csup\u003e2+\u003c/sup\u003e, which demonstrated a heightened sensitivity to the availability of ions. The highest removal percentages were achieved at the lowest initial concentration (0.8 mmol\u0026middot;L⁻\u0026sup1;): 34.7% (Cu\u003csup\u003e2+\u003c/sup\u003e), 32.67% (Zn\u003csup\u003e2+\u003c/sup\u003e), and 17.12% (Ni\u003csup\u003e2+\u003c/sup\u003e). Ion exchange was identified as one of the primary mechanisms, as evidenced by the increase in Na⁺ concentration in the solution from 800 mg\u0026middot;L\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e to 1,112 mg\u0026middot;L\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e, indicating the release of this cation by the matrix in exchange for the metal ions. The findings suggest that the developed composite is a promising and sustainable alternative for treating metallic effluents.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Study of the potential of composite material based on zeolite and geopolymer as an adsorbent of toxic metals","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-11-06 14:59:10","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7755395/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Major Revision","date":"2026-01-25T07:32:45+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"","date":"2025-10-28T10:44:24+00:00","index":0,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-10-27T12:52:52+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"Environmental Science and Pollution Research","date":"2025-10-15T14:51:57+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-10-08T04:55:52+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Environmental Science and Pollution Research","date":"2025-10-04T01:46:33+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"environmental-science-and-pollution-research","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"espr","sideBox":"Learn more about [Environmental Science and Pollution Research](https://www.springer.com/journal/11356)","snPcode":"11356","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/11356/3","title":"Environmental Science and Pollution Research","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"91362018-c9a9-4051-bf94-db3460064305","owner":[],"postedDate":"November 6th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-04T16:04:11+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-7755395","link":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-026-37751-7","journal":{"identity":"environmental-science-and-pollution-research","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Environmental Science and Pollution Research"},"publishedOn":"2026-04-29 15:57:56","publishedOnDateReadable":"April 29th, 2026"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-11-06 14:59:10","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1007/s11356-026-37751-7","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-026-37751-7","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7755395","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7755395","identity":"rs-7755395","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}