A Review on Role of Zeolites in Next-Generation Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery

Abstract

The world-wide need and desire to treat and recycle wastewater resources and ensure sustainability provide the increased demand and search of innovative materials. Crystalline microporous aluminosilicates known as zeolites are currently evaluated as promising materials due to their high surface area, pore structure control, ion-exchange capability and chemical stability. This review is a critical analysis of how zeolites are utilized in the next-generation processes of wastewater purification, including their use in the adsorption, ion exchange, photocatalysis, and membrane-based processes. Special consideration is considered the elimination of heavy metals, organic, nitrogenous and phosphoric chemicals, and dyes and valorizing wastewater streams- is investigated. The latest developments in the adaptation of natural and synthetic zeolites are also subject to discussion in the review to increase the selectivity, regeneration, and multifunctionality. Issues such as fouling, regeneration cost and scalability are critically examined in addition to the possible future hospitality of integrating the systems based on zeolite with the approaches of the circular economy. On the whole, this paper highlights the importance of zeolites as multi-purpose substances in the development of the sustainable treatment process of wastewater and its resources.