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Impact of acid activated Bentonites on foster swelling capacity and sorption dynamics of hydrocarbons, phenol and water


U.J. Chukwu
I.P. Okoye
E.I. Awosu

Abstract

The successful protonation of the dissociable ? + from different organic acids (with varying alkyl chains) to supplant sodium ions in the  inter layers of bentonites resulting in increased surface area has been carried out. The resultant materials were characterized using  foster swelling and adsorption capacity techniques. Results show that the foster capacities of acid activated bentonites were greater than the un-activated bentonite (UAB) upon interaction with petroleum hydrocarbons. The bentonite activated with the organic acid having the most alkyl chain, hexanoic acid activated bentonite (HAAB) showed high affinity for all petroleum hydrocarbons. This demonstrates the hydrophilicity of UAB and upon activation, the hydrophobic properties of HAAB. The adsorption capacity result  records that bentonites and HAAB adsorbed more petroleum hydrocarbon solvents than other lower alkyl chain acid activated bentonites and UAB. This study shows that HAAB is an excellent adsorbent for the removal of hydrocarbons from industrial wastes.


 


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eISSN: 1118-1931
print ISSN: 1118-1931