Clay Adsorbents Research Articles

Multi-metals column adsorption of lead(II), cadmium(II) and manganese(II) onto natural bentonite clay.

The present work was aimed at evaluating the multi-metals column adsorption of lead(II), cadmium(II) and manganese(II) ions onto natural bentonite. The bentonite clay adsorbent was characterized for physical and chemical properties using X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area and cation exchange capacity. The column performance was evaluated using adsorbent bed height of 5.0 cm, with varying influent concentrations (10 mg/L and 50 mg/L) and flow rates (1.4 mL/min and 2.4 mL/min). The result shows that the breakthrough time for all metal ions ranged from 50 to 480 minutes. The maximum adsorption capacity was obtained at initial concentration of 10 mg/L and flow rate of 1.4 mL/min, with 2.22 mg/g of lead(II), 1.71 mg/g of cadmium(II) and 0.37 mg/g of manganese(II). The order of metal ions removal by natural bentonite is lead(II) > cadmium(II) > manganese(II). The sorption performance and the dynamic behaviour of the column were predicted using Adams-Bohart, Thomas, and Yoon-Nelson models. The linear regression analysis demonstrated that the Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models fitted well with the column adsorption data for all metal ions. The natural bentonite was effective for the treatment of wastewater laden with multi-metals, and the process parameters obtained from this work can be used at the industrial scale.

A new approach in modifying ethylene glycol methacrylate phosphate coating formulation by adding sodium montmorillonite to increase corrosion resistance properties

In this work, the corrosion inhibition property of the ethylene glycol methacrylate phosphate (EGMAP) and the polymerized EGMAP also incorporated with sodium montmorillonite (Na+Mt) has been studied. The corrosion inhibition of carbon steel in 1.0 M HCl solution was investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. Data obtained were analyzed to be modeled through appropriate equivalent circuit models. EGMAP is used as the corrosion inhibitor in acidic media, even at very low concentration, the inhibition efficiency increases with concentration and can reach a limiting value (82%) with a concentration of 1.0 × 10−2 mol L−1 of the inhibitor after 48 h of immersion time.The adsorption of EGMAP on the carbon steel surface obeys to the Langmuir's adsorption isotherm. The calculated ΔG°ads value show that the corrosion inhibition of the carbon steel in 1.0 M HCl is mainly controlled by a physisorption process.The polymerization kinetics of EGMAP is favorised under UV-light, by creating highly crosslinked polymerized chains leading to complete conversion degree of the C═C bonds to C─C reached 95% in 45 min. The protective power of this inhibitor also increases in the case of polymerized inhibitor by 80%. The addition of clay in the coating formulation lead to a significant improvement, reaching an inhibitory value of 98%, explained by the adsorption of clay on the surface of the steel. Both formulations present a very advantageous stability of adsorbed layers.

Facile synthesis of new amino-functionalized agrogenic hybrid composite clay adsorbents for phosphate capture and recovery from water

New hybrid clay materials with good affinity for phosphate ions were developed from a combination of biomass-Carica papaya seeds (PS) and Musa paradisiaca (Plantain peels-PP), ZnCl2 and Kaolinite clay to produce iPS-HYCA and iPP-HYCA composite adsorbents respectively. Functionalization of these adsorbents with an organosilane produced NPS-HYCA and NPP-HYCA composite adsorbents. The pHpzc for the adsorbents were 7.83, 6.91, 7.66 and 6.55 for iPS-HYCA, NPS-HYCA, iPP-HYCA and NPP-HYCA respectively. Using the Brouer-Sotolongo isotherm model which best predict the adsorption capacity of composites for phosphate, iPP-HYCA, iPS-HYCA, NPP-HYCA, and NPS-HYCA composite adsorbents respectively. When compared with some commercial resins, the amino-functionalized adsorbents had better adsorption capacities. Furthermore, amino-functionalized adsorbents showed improved adsorption capacity and rate of phosphate uptake (as much as 40-fold), as well as retain 94% (for NPS-HYCA) and 84.1% (for NPP-HYCA) efficiency for phosphate adsorption after 5 adsorption-desorption cycles (96 h of adsorption time with 100 mg/L of phosphate ions) as against 37.5% (for iPS-HYCA) and 35% (for iPP-HYCA) under similar conditions. In 25 min desorption of phosphate ion attained equilibrium. These new amino-functionalized hybrid clay composite adsorbents, which were prepared by a simple means that is sustainable, have potentials for the efficient capture of phosphate ions from aqueous solution. They are quickly recovered from aqueous solution, non-biodegradable (unlike many biosorbent) with potentials to replace expensive adsorbents in the future. They have the further advantage of being useful in the recovery of phosphate for use in agriculture which could positively impact the global food security programme.

Combining Catalytic Microparticles with Droplets Formed by Phase Coexistence: Adsorption and Activity of Natural Clays at the Aqueous/Aqueous Interface

Natural clay particles have been hypothesized as catalysts on the early Earth, potentially facilitating the formation of early organic (bio) molecules. Association of clay particles with droplets formed by liquid-liquid phase separation could provide a physical mechanism for compartmentalization of inorganic catalysts in primitive protocells. Here we explore the distribution of natural clay mineral particles in poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)/dextran (Dx) aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS). We compared the three main types of natural clay: kaolinite, montmorillonite and illite, all of which are aluminosilicates of similar composition and surface charge. The three clay types differ in particle size, crystal structure, and their accumulation at the ATPS interface and ability to stabilize droplets against coalescence. Illite and kaolinite accumulated at the aqueous/aqueous interface, stabilizing droplets against coalescence but not preventing their eventual sedimentation due to the mass of adsorbed particles. The ability of each clay-containing ATPS to catalyze reaction of o-phenylenediamine with peroxide to form 2,3-diaminophenazone was evaluated. We observed modest rate increases for this reaction in the presence of clay-containing ATPS over clay in buffer alone, with illite outperforming the other clays. These findings are encouraging because they support the potential of combining catalytic mineral particles with aqueous microcompartments to form primitive microreactors.

Potassium adsorption and release properties of clays in peat-based horticultural substrates for increasing the cultivation safety of plants

Clay amendments are used widely in the horticultural industry in peat-based substrates, as they have the capability to improve the potassium (K) buffering capacity. The K adsorption and desorption behavior of different clays was characterized here to develop criteria for identification of clays suitable for substrate amendment and to evaluate their significance for plant K uptake. K adsorption of saprolitic, bentonitic and relocated clays from the Westerwald area, Germany, was characterized with adsorption isotherms for calculating the maximum adsorption capacity for K. The K desorption was quantified in a percolation experiment using 0.01M CaCl2 as extractant. The influence of a varying K adsorption capacity of the clays on the K availability to plants was investigated in a growth experiment. The availability of K in substrates was determined by 0.01M CaCl2 (CAT), Ca-acetate-lactate and NH4 acetate. Different cultivation practices were simulated by varying the start of K topdressing: “immediate,” “delayed” and “no” K topdressing. A higher K adsorption capacity of the clays amended resulted in a lower K concentration in the pore solution of clay-amended peat-based substrates, while the CAT extractable K concentration was the same. It also resulted in an enhanced plant growth and higher K concentrations in the shoot without K topdressing. The uptake of K by plants exceeded the amount of exchangeable K in some peat-clay blends where no K was fertilized. The amount of K released from the clays in the plant experiments was in the same magnitude as the maximal desorbable K determined in the percolation experiment and was highly dependent on the mineralogical composition in the order: smectitic>illitic, kaolinitic clay. The K released from the clays contributed significantly to the supply of K to plants.

Water sorption behaviour of gas shales: I. Role of clays

In this study, we investigate the role of clays on water sorption (adsorption and desorption) behaviour of gas shale samples. First, we conduct conventional sorption experiments on downhole shale samples by placing them in a controlled relative-humidity (RH) chamber. The full sorption cycle is obtained by step-wise increasing of RH from 0 to 1 followed by decreasing RH from 1 to 0 for obtaining adsorption and desorption isotherms, respectively. The results reveal that the samples with higher clay content have (i) higher amount of water adsorption, (ii) faster initial adsorption rate, and (iii) more water retention at the end of the desorption process (i.e. more hysteresis). We propose a modified sorption technique to account for water adsorption of clays by adding an early sorption cycle to the conventional method. In the modified process, the sample first goes through a cycle of adsorption at RH≈0.215 followed by desorption at RH≈0 (early sorption cycle). Then, we place the samples in a controlled-RH chamber for a full sorption experiment; which is adsorption from RH≈0 to RH≈1, followed by desorption to RH≈0. The results of the early sorption cycle show similar trends to those we observed from the conventional sorption experiments. However, in the subsequent full sorption cycle (the modified adsorption and desorption isotherms), (i) the initial adsorption rate tends to be independent of clay content and (ii) the hysteresis is less significant for samples with higher clay content. These observations suggest that clays tend to remain saturated by water during the early sorption cycle in the modified technique. Moreover, we conduct spontaneous water imbibition experiments using deionized water to compare the total water uptake by imbibition and adsorption processes. The results indicate that for our samples, spontaneous water imbibition is always faster and yields higher water saturation compared to the water adsorption process. These observations suggest that water molecules probably cannot condense in all pores during water adsorption process. Additionally, the excess water saturation achieved by imbibition process increases by increasing the clay content. This observation suggests that water adsorption by clays (and the potential subsequent swelling and micro-fracture induction) is more prominent during imbibition process compared with that during adsorption process.

ADSORPTIVE BEHAVIOR OF LOW-COST MODIFIED NATURAL CLAY ADSORBENTS FOR ARSENATE REMOVAL FROM WATER

Millions of people in more than 70 countries are at risk of developing arsenicosis and otherhealth issues due to consuming elevated arsenic contaminated water. The present study aimed to use naturalclays heated at high temperature and treated with ferrous and ferric solutions through a simple coatingtechnique enhanced by moderate temperature for arsenate uptake from water. BET, XRF, XRD and SEMmethods were applied for the adsorbent characterization. Adsorption experiments were conducted in a seriesof batch systems in terms of contact time, solution pH, initial concentration and the presence of coexistinganions. The results indicated that the adsorption kinetics was better described by the pseudo-second order ratemodel for all adsorbents. All adsorbents exhibited higher arsenate uptake efficiency in the acidic condition.Langmuir model provided the maximum arsenate adsorption capacity of 250µg/g, 429.74µg/g and747.38µg/g for calcined clay (MC), ferric calcined clay (MC-FeIII) and ferrous calcined clay (MC-FeII),respectively. Among added coexisting anions, phosphate (PO3-) significantly decreased the arsenateadsorption capacity of all adsorbents. Overall, regarded to a wide availability of raw materials, simplicity ofthe modification and improvement of arsenate adsorption capacity, modified natural clay adsorbents,especially MC-FeII, could be considered to be effective and low-cost to remove arsenate from water.

Cement dispersion performance of superplasticisers in the presence of clay and interaction between superplasticisers and clay

A study of superplasticisers (SPs), including polyethylene oxide-free type polycarboxylate superplasticisers (PCEs), a conventional PCE and a polycondensate, was carried out to research their cement dispersion behaviour and interactional behaviour with clay. It was found that the cement dispersion performance of SPs in the presence of clay is dependent on both the cement dispersing capability and clay sensitivity. The sensitivity of superplasticisers to the presence of clay was investigated systematically through a study of water and SP adsorption (surface and interlayer) on the clay. It was found that clay sensitivity is dependent on the clay adsorption of both water and the SP. The behaviours of cations (surface and interlayer) of clay interacting with different SPs were also investigated and the interactional mechanism between SPs and clay was clarified. This work will aid further understanding of the effects of clay in concrete and help in the design of SPs with enhanced clay tolerance.

Evaluation of Adsorbent Materials for the Removal of Nitrogen Compounds in Vacuum Gas Oil by Positive and Negative Electrospray Ionization Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry

The purpose of this research is to evaluate, at a molecular level, the removal of nitrogen compounds from vacuum gas oil (VGO), which is used as feedstock for fluid catalytic cracking units. Here, a VGO sample was treated with two different adsorbents: an argillaceous material specifically developed for the removal of nitrogen compounds in middle distillate cuts (kerosene and diesel) and a commercial silica adsorbent. Breakthrough curves were built on two temperature levels (80 and 150 °C), containing different rupture times (from 60 to 420 min), to determine their influence on nitrogen compound removal. All samples, produced from each condition of adsorption, were analyzed by positive and negative electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry [ESI(±)FT-ICR MS]. Besides FT-ICR MS characterization, the total nitrogen content was monitored. FT-ICR MS indicated that the removal of nitrogen compounds by the clay adsorbent was enhanced when the temperature was higher (150 ...

Three-dimensional interconnected porous tablet ceramic: Synthesis and Pb(II) adsorption

A novel porous tablet material (PTM) was developed from zirconium pillared montmorillonite (Zr-MMT) by dry pressing technique combined with sacrificial template (polymethylmethacrylate). The developed PTM can be effectively separated from water. The layered structure of montmorillonite was still intact and the three-dimensional interconnected porosity of PTM was evenly distributed, which means that PTM has good permeability. The specific surface area and total pore volume of PTM were 80.04m2/g and 0.28m3/g, respectively, indicating that the PTM can provide a large number of vacant surface active sites. The saturated adsorption capacity to Pb(II) was 215.52mg/g, which was much higher than that of montmorillonite type clay adsorbents. These findings demonstrate that PTM could be used as separable adsorbent for Pb(II) removal from aqueous solution.

Adsorption of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons from aqueous solution: Agrowaste-modified kaolinite vs surfactant modified bentonite

. The adsorption efficiency of a new hybrid clay adsorbent for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is compared with known modified clay adsorbents. The new hybrid clay adsorbent (HYCA) showed far higher adsorption capacities for the adsorption of various PAH molecules compared with sodium dodecyl sulfate modified and humic acid modified Bentonite clay adsorbents. With the new hybrid clay adsorbent (HYCA), the adsorption of some of the larger PAH molecules was complete in the first 1 h as compared with ≈ 62% and ≈ 76% observed for both humic acid modified and sodium dodecyl sulfate modified Bentonite clay adsorbents respectively. In 24 h adsorption of the PAHs was complete for all adsorbents with HYCA adsorbent showing better efficiency in the removal of the PAH molecules from aqueous solutions. No significant change was observed with increase in time up to 48 h. The adsorption was observed to be more spontaneous with HYCA adsorbent than with either modified Bentonite adsorbents. The enthalpy of adsorption did not follow any specific order and were not consistent for all PAH molecules considered. KEY WORDS: Adsorption, Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, Enthalpy, Hybrid clay, Bentonite Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2016, 30(3), 369-376DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v30i3.5

Uranium Adsorption from Aqueous Solution Using Sodium Bentonite Activated Clay

Due to extensive variety of nuclear applications, the cost efficient adsorbent is extremely needed for radioactive liquid waste solutions treatment. Bentonite which is consists essentially of clay minerals of the smectite group; have a wide range of industrial uses. In this study, a simple approach to adsorb uranium (VI) from aqueous solution by exchangeable cation by sodium bentonite clay is presented. The effects of contact time, pH of the solution, initial uranium (VI) concentration, adsorbent dosage, and solution temperature on the adsorption of uranium (VI) ions from radioactive liquid solution were investigated. Adsorption isotherms were expressed by Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models. The theoretical capacity of sodium bentonite clay adsorbent is about 12 mg/g. The optimum adsorption conditions were recommended. About 89% of the loaded Uranium (VI) on modified clay adsorbent was eluted by CH3COONa as an efficient eluent. The preferred adsorption and elution conditions were applied on real waste sample and the obtained capacity was determined.

The Role of Fluids in the Formation of Rare Earth Element Deposits

Fluids play an important role in the formation of many rare earth element (REE) deposits. Groundwater and hydrothermal fluids can transport these elements and with changes in fluid composition or properties, the REEs can be removed from solution by adsorption or precipitation of REE-rich minerals. Currently, REEs are primarily produced from two types of ore deposits, ion adsorption clay deposits (located in southern China) and carbonatites. Ion adsorption clay deposits in southern China form by lateritic weathering of underlying granites. Groundwater is responsible for the mobilization, transport, and deposition of the REEs in forming these ore deposits. Carbonatites are a relatively rare type of igneous rock that contain the highest concentrations of REEs of any igneous rocks. Ore-grade REE enrichment in carbonatites can result from crystallization of REE mineral phases directly from the magma or by hydrothermal processes. One carbonatite-related REE ore deposit, the Mount Weld deposit (Australia), was formed by lateritic weathering of the underlying carbonatite.

Removal of amitraz from aqueous solutions on clay by adsorption technique at industrial scale

Abstract Amitraz (AZ) that is used as acaricide was extracted by using clay adsorbent. The experimental data were modeled via Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms in which adsorption data fit well. The monolayer adsorption capacity was found as 28.53 mg × g−1 at a temperature of 30 °C. The effects of the phases contact time, the initial solution pH value and the initial pesticide concentration were investigated regarding the points of adsorption equilibrium and yield. The adsorption kinetics were investigated by applying pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intra-particle diffusion laws. Adsorption of AZ was found to be best fitted by the pseudo-second-order model. The intra-particle diffusion also plays an important role in adsorption phenomenon. This adsorption is a physical and spontaneous phenomenon. The pesticide removal by adsorption technique was successfully applied in industrial plants.

Effect of ball milling process on the structure of local clay and its adsorption performance for Ni(II) removal

The effect of ball milling process on the properties of the natural local clay including structural changes and adsorption capacity for the removal of Ni(II) ions from aqueous solutions, was investigated. The local clay was ground at varying times from 5 to 20h with a 10:1 or 20:1 weight ratio of the balls to powder, which produced six different ball milled clays (BM-Clay1 to BM-Clay6). Ground clays were then characterized by particle size measurement, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy analysis, and adsorption experiments. These analyses were performed to evaluate the changes in particle size distribution, morphology, crystallinity, and adsorption characteristics. According to XRD analysis, the degree of amorphization increased with grinding time, and the present crystalline phase in the final ball milled clay was found to be quartz, which was the associated phase in the original unmilled clay mineral. FTIR studies indicated the destruction of the layers of the montmorillonite upon milling. Adsorption experiments revealed that under similar conditions, BM-Clay2 has the most adsorption capacity for Ni(II) ions. Adsorption characteristics of this ball milled clay for the removal of Ni(II) ions from aqueous solutions was examined in batch adsorption studies under different conditions of contact time, solution pH, adsorbent dose, and initial Ni(II) concentration. The Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 29.76mg/g at pH7 and 25°C. The adsorption kinetics data showed better agreement with the pseudo second-order kinetic model. Also, both surface adsorption and intra-particle diffusion contributed to the rate limiting steps in the adsorption of Ni(II) on clay adsorbent. In conclusion, grinding of local clay using ball milling process can significantly increase the adsorption capacity of the clay for Ni(II) removal from aqueous solutions.

Native, acidic pre-treated and composite clay efficiency for the adsorption of dicationic dye in aqueous medium.

Environmental applications of composites have attracted the interests of researchers due to their excellent adsorption efficiency for pollutants. Native, HCl pre-treated clay and MnFe2O4/clay composite were investigated as an adsorbent for removal of methyl green from aqueous solution. The adsorption behaviors of dye onto native, HCl pre-treated and composite clays were studied as a function of contact time, adsorbent dose, pH, initial dye concentration and temperature. Maximum dye adsorption of 44 mg/g was achieved at pH of 8, contact time 40 min, adsorbent dose 0.20 g/L and initial dye concentration of 125 mg/L using clay composite. The Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model best explained the methyl green dye adsorption onto clay adsorbents. Thermodynamic parameters revealed the endothermic and spontaneous adsorption nature of dye. From results, it is concluded that clay has potential for adsorbing methyl green and can be used for the removal of dyes from industrial effluents.

Effects of clay minerals on diethyl phthalate degradation in Fenton reactions

Phthalate esters are a group of plasticizers, which are commonly detected in China's soils and surface water. Fenton reactions are naturally occurring and widely applied in the degradation of contaminants. However, limited research was considered the effects of clay minerals on contaminants degradation with OH oxidation. In this study, batch experiments were conducted to investigate the degradation of diethyl phthalate (DEP) in Fenton reactions in the presence of clay minerals, and the effects of clay type, Fe content in clay structure. The results showed the clay adsorption inhibited total degradation of DEP, and Fe content in clay structure played an important role in DEP degradation, including in solution and adsorbed in clay minerals. Clay minerals with less Fe content (<3%) quenched OH radical, while nontronite with Fe content 19.2% improved OH radical generation and accelerated DEP degradation in solution. The degradation of clay-adsorbed DEP was much slower than DEP in solution. Six main products of DEP degradation were identified, including monoethyl phthalate, phthalate acid, hydroxyl diethyl phthalate, etc. This study implied that phthalate ester's degradation would be much slower in natural water than expected in the presence of clay minerals.

A New Method for Extraction and Heavy Metals Removal of Abalone Visceral Polysaccharide

This study developed a new method to extract abalone visceral polysaccharide (AVP) and remove its heavy metals (except for mercury) by combining enzymatic hydrolysis, plate frame filtration, alcohol precipitation, high activated clay absorption with cation exchange resin and anion exchange resin. Alcohol precipitation, dialysis, activated carbon adsorption and high activated clay adsorption were used to remove mercury in AVP, respectively. Results indicated that these technologies are credible that both AVP with higher purity and heavy metals in AVP met the limit of standard. High activated clay could remove mercury more efficiently and increase the yield of AVP compared with other methods. The methods of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrophotometer were established to detect cadmium, lead, arsenic, chromium, nickel and mercury of AVP, respectively. Results indicated that the established methods were credible and effective by analyzing uncertainty evaluation, recovery rates and precision. Practical Applications AVP with higher purity and yield, content of heavy metals in AVP also met the limit of standard by the technologies of extraction and heavy metals removal of AVP. It was credible and effective for using ICP-MS and AAS to detect cadmium, lead, arsenic, chromium, nickel and mercury of AVP, respectively. The application of these methods can help food industry to develop AVP into healthcare products and researchers in the production of abalone visceral polysaccharide.

Investigation of Four Different Laponite Clays as Stabilizers in Pickering Emulsion Polymerization.

Clay-armored polymer particles were prepared by emulsion polymerization in the presence of Laponite platelets that adsorb at the surface of latex particles and act as stabilizers during the course of the polymerization. While Laponite RDS clay platelets are most often used, the choice of the type of clay still remains an open issue that is addressed in the present article. Four different grades of Laponite were investigated as stabilizers in the emulsion polymerization of styrene. First, the adsorption isotherms of the clays, on preformed polystyrene particles, were determined by ICP-AES analysis of the residual clay in the aqueous phase. Adsorption of clay depended on the type of clay at low concentrations corresponding to adsorption as a monolayer. Adsorption of clay particles as multilayers was observed for all the grades above a certain concentration under the considered ionic strength (mainly due to the initiator ionic species). The stabilization efficiency of these clays was investigated during the polymerization reaction (free of any other stabilizer). The clays did not have the same effect on stabilization, which was related to differences in their compositions and in their adsorption isotherms. The different grades led to different polymer particles sizes and therefore to different polymerization reaction rates. Laponite RDS and S482 gave similar results, ensuring the best stabilization efficiency and the fastest reaction rate; the number of particles increased as the clay concentration increased. Stabilization with Laponite XLS gave the same particles size and number as the latter two clays at low clay concentrations, but it reached an upper limit in the number of nucleated polymer particles at higher concentrations indicating a decrease of stabilization efficiency at high concentrations. Laponite JS did not ensure a sufficient stability of the polymer particles, as the polymerization results were comparable to a stabilizer-free polymerization system.

Capacity assessment and potential for reuse of calcined Bofe bentonitic clay for adsorption of nickel

AbstractThis work aims to evaluate different eluents in cycles of nickel adsorption/desorption on calcined Bofe clay. The following eluents were used sequentially for nickel desorption: H2SO4 0.25 mol/L, NaCl 1.0 mol/L, CaCl2 0.10 mol/L, and EDTA 0.10 mol/L. Physical‐chemical characterization analyses of Bofe clay samples were carried out under different conditions to evaluate the effect of the remaining metal on the adsorbent submitted to adsorption/desorption cycles. The adsorbent material was characterized by the following techniques: energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and N2 physisorption (BET). Statistica 5.0 was used as a computational tool to adjust the rate quasi‐chemical solution to the experimental data of the breakthrough curves. From the new function obtained, breakthrough curves for different bed heights could be also simulated. An increase of the clay surface area and a reduction of real density after the passage of the four eluents were observed. Among the tested eluents, NaCl (1 mol/L) presented the highest percentage of desorption (88.08 %). The nickel adsorption/desorption cycles study showed that Bofe clay retains the same nickel adsorption capacity throughout the four evaluated cycles.