Characterization and use of acid‐activated montmorillonite‐illite type of clay for lead(II) removal

Abstract

AbstractThe natural local deposits of montmorillonite‐illite type of clay (MIC) were susceptible for acid activation. Raw clay was taken for experimentation, disintegrated on acid activation with sulfuric acid, which showed a particle size distribution. The montmorillonite and illite phases in the raw clay disappeared on acid activation and the activated clay, MIC(AA), showed with sodium‐aluminum‐silicate and beidellite phases apart from quartz (low) phase. The raw and acid‐activated clays were characterized using X‐ray powder diffractometry, X‐ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, and energy dispersive X‐ray, and their adsorption capacities were compared. When tested for adsorption of Pb(II) in aqueous solutions, the acid‐activated clay showed about 50% increased adsorption than raw clay. Sips adsorption isotherm and pseudo‐second‐order kinetic models were found to be best for the batch adsorption data. Kinetic studies showed the existence of film diffusion and intraparticle diffusion. A two‐stage batch adsorber was designed for the removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solutions. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010