Porosity and sorption properties of zeolites synthesized from coal fly ash

Coal fly ash generated from the combustion of coal to produce energy and heat is an industrial waste, which huge accumulations represent a serious environmental threat. Development of technologies for its utilization is an actual problem. In the context of possible environmental and economic risks, the use of sorbents based on coal fly ash for wastewater treatment is an alternative to industrial materials. The article presents the results of experimental studies of zeolites obtained by a hydrothermal autoclave method from coal fly ash of from a thermal power station (the town of Vorkuta). The initial coal fly ash and synthesized materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, etc. The specific surface area, the volume of micro- and mesopores, the total pore volume of synthesized zeolites were determined. Experimental results have shown that new materials can be successfully used to extract ammonium, barium, strontium and natural radioactive elements: uranium, radium, thorium from aqueous solutions.