Synthesis, Characterization and Adsorption Performance Analysis of Polymer Treated Egyptian Clays

Abstract

In view of pressing environmental impacts on soil earth and water it deemed necessary to develop and optimize appropriate low cost solutions for mitigating environmental pollution taking into consideration the current situation of industrial development and associated heavy metals pollution. Thus, this work has aimed at removal of specific heavy metals via treated and modified Egyptian clays (kaolin and bentonite). Both types comprising of bentonite and kaolin have been treated and modified by acids, alkali and polymer modification. Treated Egyptian clays have been characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, the prepared adsorbents have been tested for the removal of some heavy metals (Co2+, Cd2+, Cr3+, Cr6+ and Ni2+). Kaolin treated using oxalic acid showed slightly higher adsorption capacity (13.5, 16, 10 and 9.8 mg/g) than alkali treated kaolin (11.9, 16, 9.8 and 8.9 mg/g) while, the untreated kaolin adsorption capacity approached 8,