Magnetic P zeolites: Synthesis, characterization and the behavior in potassium extraction from seawater

In order to solve the difficult problem of powder P zeolite separation from solution disposed, a series of magnetic P zeolites are hydrothermally synthesized with traditional hydrothermal method by adding magnetic Fe(3)O(4) particulates in the crystallization. The products were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), IR spectrometer (IR), magnetic susceptibility, and ion exchange capability. The results show that the magnetism of the products is stable and magnetic susceptibility rises with the addition amount of Fe(3)O(4) particulates increasing. Comparing the magnetic P zeolites synthesized with the pure P zeolite, their adsorption capabilities of Ca(2+), Mg(2+), K(+) still are very high. When the magnetic zeolites are used to extract ion from solution disposed without molding, their powder products can be easily separated from solvent or solution by magnetic separation technology. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.