Enhanced Sorption of Naphthalene onto a Modified Clay Adsorbent: Effect of Acid, Base and Salt Modifications of Clay on Sorption Kinetics

Chiedu N. Owabor, Uzezi M. Ono, Aigbokhan Isuekevbo

Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Benin, Benin City, Benin.

DOI: 10.4236/aces.2012.23038                

Abstract

This paper examined the influence of acid, base and salt modifications of clay on its rates of naphthalene adsorption. The modifiers used include hydrochloric acid (HCl), citric acid, sodium hydroxide (NaOH), ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH), sodium chloride (NaCl) and zinc chloride (ZnCl₂). The results obtained showed that equilibrium adsorption of naphthalene from the bulk solution was attained at a faster rate using modified clay when compared with the unmodified clay. HCl-modified clay had the highest rate of adsorption with a surface area and porosity of 49.05 mm² and 53.4%. This was closely followed by NaOH-modified clay while down the order was the ZnCl₂-modified clay which had the least rate of adsorption with a surface area of 44.3 mm² and porosity of 43.4%. The implication of the retention time obtained from the equilibrium study is significant as it provides the bench mark for interplay between sorption and degradation for transport and transformation of contaminant solutes within the soil matrix.

Keywords

Modification; Cation-Exchange-Capacity; Natural Clay; Adsorbate; Surfactants

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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