Creating Synergy of Microporous Hydrophilic–Organophilic Surfaces in Zeolite@Nano‐Titania Particles for Rapid Removal of Diverse Pollutants in Water

Abstract The present work reports the synergy between microporous titania (hydrophilic surface) and zeolite (organophilic surface) through coating of nano‐titania particles in multilayers on zeolite (Ze) surface (Ze‐TiO₂ core‐shell particles). The microporous hydrophilic shell, by virtue of its high wetting properties and van der Waals forces, attracts solvated analytes from water causing rapid diffusion across the solid–liquid interface. The stronger ionic/organophilic attraction by the core (zeolite) enables the pollutants from shell to migrate to the core leaving shell deficient for further adsorption. It establishes a continuous flow of analytes from bulk to the core through favorably charged hydrophilic layers of anatase TiO₂ till the high‐capacity zeolite is completely adsorbed. Porous layers of TiO₂ (shell) introduce rapid physiosorption of analytes while chemisorption mechanism is retained by zeolite core as confirmed by kinetic and isotherm studies on adsorption of heavy metal ion (Pb(II)) and organic dye (methylene blue). The mechanism of adsorption is substantiated by intraparticle diffusion model. The material holds promise as multifunctional adsorbent for rapid and efficient removal of diverse pollutants from water.