Removal of Copper from Aqueous Solutions by Adsorption on to The Montmorillonite Clay Mineral

M. E. M. Hassouna; M.E.M.A. Hafez

Volume : III, Issue : VII, July - 2014

Removal of Copper from Aqueous Solutions by Adsorption on to The Montmorillonite Clay Mineral

M. E. M. Hassouna, M. E. M. A. Hafez

Abstract :

The study was carried out to examine the efficiency of natural raw clay (RC), its acid activated form (AAC) and functionalized polymer/clay nanocomposite (PCN) for the removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions. XRD, TGA and IR analyses were used to characterize the mineralogical compositions of the three adsorbents. Batch adsorption method was applied for optimumization of adsorption conditions viz., adsorbent dosage, contact time, effect of temperature, effect of pH and initial copper concentration. Residual Cu2+ ions were determined using ICP-MS. Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin and DubininRadushkevich isotherm equations have been applied to analyze the obtained experimental data. The isotherms affinity order were determined. The maximum adsorption capacities for RC, AAC and PCN were found to be 7.22, 7.04 and 19.45 mg/g, respectively.