Modification of natural zeolite with Fe(III) for dipyrone removal from aqueous solutions

The growing drug consumption has contaminated water resources around the world, prompting concerns about the adverse effects of prolonged exposure to these contaminants. The surface of natural zeolite clinoptilolite was modified with iron nitrate in order to obtain the Fe(III) ion for dipyrone (DIP) removal. The adsorbent materials were characterized by FTIR, XRD, zeta potential measurements, SEM and EDX. Maximum adsorption capacity of 23.37 mg g−1 at 318 K was reached for DIP. Desorption studies showed regeneration capacity in the five evaluated cycles. The developed adsorbent showed promise in the DIP removal and has potential applications in water purification processes.