Removal of manganese ions from their aqueous solutions by organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT)

Abstract

AbstractThis paper deals with the organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) which was used as the manganese ions adsorbent from the aqueous solutions. This organoclay nanocomposite was synthesized by cation exchange of Na-MMT with 12-aminolauric acid (ALA) and denoted as ALA-MMT. The acidic montmorillonite (H-MMT) was prepared by cation exchange of Na-MMT with 2.0 N hydrochloric acid. The synthesized materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, Transmission electron microscopy analysis, Scanning electron microscopy analysis, and Thermogravimetric analysis. The adsorption behavior was studied at ambient temperature, stirring rate of 160 rpm, different solution pH values (2–9), different contact times (15–150 min), different initial Mn(II) concentrations (30–100 mg/L), and different adsorbent masses (0.2–0.55 g per 1.0 L). At the optimum conditions of the initial Mn(II) concentration of 100 mg/L, solution pH 6, adsorbent mass of 0.35 g/L and contact...