The topic of ion exchange and adsorption has been passed through an
interesting historical and scientific development as the first section of this chapter
entitled as: “Introduction to historical background of ion exchange and adsorption
phenomena” reports. The current adsorption theory and relevant applications initiated
by Langmuir´s fundamental work have been developed extensively more or less during
the last 80 years, as some general aspects of adsorption as the next section of this
chapter discusses. History of radioactive waste treatment worldwide using natural
zeolite is also shortly reported. An approach to physical characterization of fundamental
ion exchange and adsorption behaviors (kinetic and thermodynamic parameters) of
Slovakian and Chinese clinoptilolite- and mordenite-rich tuffs in aqueous solutions of
NH4+, Cu2+, Pb2+, Zn2+ and Fe3+ ions as case studies are presented furthermore. Ion
exchange isotherms for the exchange of NH4+, Co2+, Cs+, Ba2+, Ag+ and Zn2+ onto
native and Na-pretreated Slovakian clinoptilolite- and mordenite-rich tuffs are described
and graphically illustrated, finally.
Keywords: Ammonium, Chinese clinoptilolite-rich tuff, fundamental concept of
adsorption, heavy metals, history of ion exchange, kinetics and thermodynamics,
radioactive waste treatment by zeolite, radionuclides aqueous solutions, selective
ion exchange onto Slovakian zeolites, Slovakian clinoptilolite- and mordenite-rich
tuffs.
