Characterization and Activation of Indonesian Natural Zeolite from Southwest Aceh District-Aceh Province

This study aims to identify the effect of activation processes of Indonesian zeolite from Southwest Aceh District, Aceh Province on the physical characteristics and chemical contents changes. The work was conducted by downsizing of natural zeolite into nano particle size, treating it physically (heated up to 105 degrees C) and chemically (soaked with 0.5 M HCl for 1 hour), and finally calcining it at the temperature of 350 degrees C for 2 hours. The natural and activated nano zeolites were then characterized by using SEM, BET, XRD, XRF and FTIR in order to examine their characters and chemical contents. The characterization results showed that the activated nano zeolite has better appearances than the natural one. The XRD analysis showed that the main minerals of zeolite are quartz and calcite clinochlore. Further, the XRF analysis showed that there are elements of magnesium, calcium and potassium which can be as a cation exchange with other metal elements. Based on the identified properties, this zeolite showed a good performance to be used as an adsorbent in waste water treatment process, especially after activated.