The specific surface area and BJH (Barrett–Joyner–Halenda)
pore size distribution of the developed ceramic adsorbent were
determined using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface
analysis device (Coulter SA3100, US). Adsorption and desorption
techniques are employed to determine pore area and specific pore
volume in BJH analysis. This technique characterizes pore size distribution
independent of external area due to particle size of the
sample. The morphological features of the ceramic adsorbents before
and after adsorption were acquired using a scanning electron
microscope (SEM) (JSM-6330F, JEOL, Japan). The mineralogical
phase characterization of the ceramic adsorbent was carried out
by quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD) (RINT2200, Rigaku, Japan).
Zeta potential was tested by Zeta Sizer (Nano-ZS). The concentration
of ammonia (NHþ4) was measured by an ammonium meter
(ION METER TiN-9001, Japan).