The material (besides clay) needs to be non-reactive/stable, and preferably synthetic. Thank you very much in advance! Your suggestion is very much appreciated!
Ion-exchange resins, apatite, and zeolites are good candidates for the same.
Dear Chin Yik Lin,
Commercially available materials that has a high surface area or CEC (cation exchange capacity):
Because of their unique cation-exchage, adsorption, hydration-dehydration, and catalytic properties, follwoing materials are being used in a wide variety of industrial purposes.
01. Zeolites: Zeolites are hydrated aluminosilicates of alkali and alkaline Earth cations (e.g., K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+) that possess infinite 3-dimensional crystal structures (i.e., tektoslicates).
Naturalzeolites may have measured cation exchange capacities (CEC) of 200-300 meq/ 100 g, whereas synthetic zeolites may have a CEC as high as 500-600 meq /100 g.
02. Phyllosilicates: Vermiculites are higher charge materials (e.g., 140-160 meq/ 100 g) than smectites (e.g., 80-105 meq/ 100 g).
03. Tobermorites: The CECs of synthetic tobermorites depend on the degree of Al- and FE-substituted synthetic tobermorites had CECs as high as 182 meq/ 100 g.
I hope I have answered your question.
With Best Wishes,
Samir G. Pandya
Ceramic substances and Zeolites/ hydrated aluminum silicate can do this
Thank you very much for the quick response! Some of your suggestions are very helpful! The material of interest needs to be pH neutral when soaked in water. Also, it should have minimum metals, especially iron. Maybe synthetic zeolite is a good choice? How about activated carbon or any nano-fibers? And do you have any idea where can I get it? Does Sigma-Aldrich sell these materials?
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