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Description
Tuff is a type of volcaniclastic rock formed by the deposition of finer volcaniclastic material. Zeolitic tuffs are rocks that contain zeolites as well as various other crystalline or amorphous phases. In the Piplići deposit located 5 km southeast of Prnjavor, the average thickness of the only tuff layer is about 10 m, and it is interstratified within a complex of gray clayey sandstones deposited conformably over layered fossiliferous limestones.
Sample characterization was performed using the following methods: low-temperature nitrogen adsorption (LTNA), thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) determination.
The results of the analysis showed that the tested samples are mesoporous materials, that they are thermally stable materials that do not change their structure when heated up to 800°C. FTIR spectra of the samples show characteristic peaks of aluminosilicates. SEM-EDS surface investigations of all samples revealed the presence of structural cations (silicon and aluminum) as well as additional cations such as Na+, Mg2+, K+, and Ca2+. While. XRD analysis showed that the tested samples consist of feldspar, clinoptilolite/heulandite, mordenite, smectite, quartz, and calcite. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) determinations showed that samples 1 and 2 have CEC values of 30.15 and 25.26 mmol M+/100g of sample, respectively.
Due to their adsorption properties and ion exchange capabilities, scientists have explored their potential applications in addressing pressing environmental issues, particularly in processes involving the removal of various pollutants from water streams."
Keywords: zeolite, tuff, adsorption, ion exchange, poiiutants
