Natural Zeolites as Potential Materials for Decontamination of Radioactive Cesium

Adsorption experiments of Cs+ were carried out by using two natural zeolites, namely mordenite and clinoptilolite. The same experiments were also conducted by using synthetic zeolite A, synthetic zeolite X, and artificial zeolite Na-P1 as references. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of natural zeolites on the adsorption of radioactiveCs+. The results indicated that although cation exchange capacity of the natural zeolites was much lower compared to the synthetic and artificial zeolites, the adsorption capacity of Cs+ was much greater than the synthetic and artificial zeolites. The order of the adsorption capacity of Cs+ was mordenite>clinoptilolite> Na-P1 >> zeolite A > zeolite X. It indicates that natural zeolites are promising materials in the removal of radioactive Cs+.