Preparation of modified MFI (ZSM-5 and silicalite-1) zeolites for potassium extraction from seawater

Modified nanosized MFI (ZSM-5 and silicalite-1) zeolites were successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method using aluminum isopropoxide and tetraethylorthosilicate as the raw materials. The synthetic zeolites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersion spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The ZSM-5 and silicalite-1 zeolites exhibited ellipse-like and cubic columns, respectively. The K + ion-exchange equilibrium and ion-exchange capacity of the synthetic zeolites in seawater were investigated. The K + ion-exchange of synthetic zeolites was rapid and reached an ion-exchange balance in approximately 20   min. The K + ion-exchange capacity of ZSM-5 and silicalite-1 in seawater was 56.7 and 48.7   mg/g, respectively. The synthetic zeolites have high selectivity toward K + , and therefore, they can be used to selectively extract potassium from seawater.