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U.S. Department of Energy
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Surfactant-modified zeolites as permeable barriers to organic and inorganic groundwater contaminants

Conference ·
OSTI ID:162477

We have shown in laboratory experiments that natural zeolites treated with hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) are effective sorbents for nonpolar organics, inorganic cations, and inorganic anions. Due to their low cost ({approximately}$0.75/kg) and granular nature, HDTMA-zeolites appear ideal candidates for reactive, permeable subsurface barriers. The HDTMA-zeolites are stable over a wide range of pH (3-13), ionic strength (1 M Cs{sup +} or Ca{sup 2+}), and in organic solvents. Surfactant-modified zeolites sorb nonpolar organics (benzene, toluene, xylene, chlorinated aliphatics) via a partitioning mechanism, inorganic cations (Pb {sup 2+}) via ion exchange and surface complexation, and inorganic anions (CrO{sub 4}{sup 2-}, SeO{sub 4}{sup 2-},SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}) via surface precipitation.

Research Organization:
New Mexico Inst. of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AR21-95MC32108
OSTI ID:
162477
Report Number(s):
DOE/MC/32108--96/CO616; CONF-9510108--16; ON: DE96003466
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English