Theme 5 - 203

Eco-friendly approach to textile dye remediation using a waste-based LTA zeolite
Ritter, M.T.*, **, Padilla, I.*, López-Delgado, A.*, Romero, M.*, Nagel-Hassemer, M.E.** and Lobo-
Récio, M.A.***
* Department of Materials, Eduardo Torroja Institute for Construction Sciences (IETcc-CSIC), Serrano
Galvache Street, 4, 28033, Madrid, Spain
** Department of Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Campus
Reitor João David Ferreira Lima, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
*** Department of Energy and Sustainability, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Campus
Araranguá, Rod. Gov. Jorge Lacerda, 3201, Jardim das Avenidas, 88.906-072, Araranguá, SC, Brazil
Highlights:
• Outstanding adsorption performance of Safranine-T by waste-based LTA zeolite (>96%).
• Best results obtained under moderate conditions (pH 11, room temperature, agitation 150
rpm), favoring scale-up.
• Highly efficient treatment of dye-contaminated wastewater with waste-based zeolites,
contributing to the circular economy and sustainability.
Keywords: adsorption; waste-based LTA zeolite; textile dyes.
INTRODUCTION
Dyes are among the most common pollutants in wastewater, as a result of their widespread use by
various industrial sectors. In textile production, the total consumption of dyes exceeds 10,000 tons per
year, and it is estimated that between 10 and 15% of this amount is released with the effluents[1-2].
The proper treatment of these harmful effluents is a major challenge due to the low biodegradability
and structural complexity of most dyes. Conventional treatment methods have several limitations
related to their high cost, limited efficiency, generation of secondary pollutants and waste
management[3].
Adsorption is one of the most effective methods used to treat dye-containing wastewaters[4], and has
attracted growing interest with the use of low-cost alternative adsorbents.
Due to their porous structure and properties, zeolites are excellent candidates for adsorbent materials.
In recent years, instead of using commercial chemical reagents, various wastes have been tested in the
synthesis of zeolites as a way of minimizing the environmental impacts associated with their production
and saving natural resources[5].
Among these wastes, aluminum waste slag can be considered an ideal non-conventional raw material
for the zeolite production, considering the high content of aluminum in its composition and the serious
environmental problems associated with its management and disposal in the environment[6].
This study reports on the use of an LTA-type zeolite, synthesized from hazardous aluminum waste, in
the adsorption of the textile dye Safranine-T (ST) from aqueous solutions.
METHODOLOGY
LTA zeolite, synthesized with fine slag from the tertiary aluminum industry, was used as the adsorbent
material in this study. Safranine-T (CI 50240) (Neon Commercial, Brazil) was used as the adsorbate.
The aqueous dye solutions were prepared in the required concentrations by diluting the stock solution
(1.0 g L-1) in distilled water.
The adsorption tests were carried out on a rotational shaker using flasks containing 50 mL of dye
solution (C0 20 mg L-1). Different temperatures (22, 35, 45 and 55 ºC), pH values (5, 7, 9 and 11) and
agitation rates (50, 100, 150 and 200 rpm) were evaluated. The tests were performed in triplicate and
the results expressed as the mean values. After treatment, the suspensions were centrifuged (5300 rpm
for 5 minutes) and the final concentration determined by colorimetry in a spectrophotometer (HACH
DR/3900 VIS) at the wavelength of maximum absorption of the ST (λ 520 nm).
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained in this study (Fig. 1 and 2) demonstrated the excellent adsorption capacity of the
waste-based LTA zeolite, achieving 96.9% ST removal efficiency when using an agitation rate of 150
rpm, at room temperature (22 ºC), pH 11 and with only 10 minutes of contact time, which is very
favorable for the treatment of textile effluents. This innovative approach represents an alternative
solution to some serious environmental problems all at once; on the one hand, the co-recycling of
hazardous aluminum waste avoids disposal in landfills and possible environmental contamination (air,
soil, groundwater and surface water and, consequently, harmful effects on flora, fauna and human
health); on the other hand, the recovery of this waste through the synthesis of new value-added materials
means saving natural resources that would otherwise be extracted to produce the chemical reagents; and
finally, the application of these waste-based zeolites to remediate dye-contaminating wastewaters.
a. b. c.
Fig. 1. Comparison of ST removal by waste-based LTA zeolite using different (a) agitation rates, (b)
temperatures and (c) pH.
a. b.
Fig. 2. (a) Kinetic and (b) isothermal experimental data.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This research was supported by the Brazilian National Council of Scientific and Technological
Development (CNPq) and Coordination for the Improvement of the Higher-Level Personnel (CAPES)-
finance code 001.
REFERENCES
[1] AL-TOHAMY, R. et al. A critical review on the treatment of dye-containing wastewater: Ecotoxicological and health
concerns of textile dyes and possible remediation approaches for environmental safety. Ecotoxicology and Environmental
Safety, v. 231, p. 113160, feb. 2022.
[2] TARA, N. et al. Nano-engineered Adsorbent for the Removal of Dyes from Water: A Review. Current Analytical
Chemistry, v. 16, n. 1, p. 14–40, 8 jan. 2020.
[3] SRIVASTAVA, A. et al. Emerging bioremediation technologies for the treatment of textile wastewater containing
synthetic dyes: a comprehensive review. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, v. 97, n. 1, p. 26–41, jan.
2022.
[4] TKACZYK, A.; MITROWSKA, K.; POSYNIAK, A. Synthetic organic dyes as contaminants of the aquatic environment
and their implications for ecosystems: A review. Science of The Total Environment, v. 717, p. 137222, may 2020.
[5] SÁNCHEZ-HERNÁNDEZ, R. et al. One-step synthesis of NaP1, SOD and ANA from a hazardous aluminum solid
waste. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, v. 226, p. 267–277, may 2016.
[6] LÓPEZ-DELGADO, A. et al. Zero-waste process for the transformation of a hazardous aluminum waste into a raw
material to obtain zeolites. Journal of Cleaner Production, v. 255, p. 120178, may 2020.

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Eco-friendly approach to textile dye remediation using a waste-based LTA zeolite

Keywords: adsorption; waste-based LTA zeolite; textile dyes.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

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