Materials Based on the Montmorillonite after Interaction with Aromatic Pollutant

Abstract

The objective of this study was to confirm, if it is possible to use some monoionic forms of montmorillonite containing metal ions, such as copper, nickel and iron for removing of organic pollutants. These metal ions (Cu(II), Ni(II) and Fe(III)) were used for preparation of three powdered modified monoionic forms of montmorillonite which is able to adsorb not only metal ions but also organic pollutants. The organo-montmorillonite was created after interaction of montmorillonite with an organic pollutant, in our case, with 3-aminophenol. This organo-montmorillonite can be used in many applications including adsorbent agents, paints, cosmetics or oil well drilling fluids. X-ray powder diffraction was used for investigation of changes in basal spacing of forms of montmorillonite with metal ions (Cu(II)-, Ni(II)-, Fe(III)-MMT). Thermal behaviour of prepared samples was based on DTA/TG analysis. Crystal samples were observed by optical microscopy which allowed us to observe the diversity between layers of resulting crystal samples of montmorillonite.