Characterization and Thermal Modification of Local Bentonite for Removal of Zinc Ion from Aqueous Solution

The natural bentonite has small specific surface area and cation exchange capacity. As a result, the focus of this research was directed towards the modification of the surface properties of bentonite to maximize its adsorption capacity. To achieve this aim, the research study was carried out by two stages; (1) Thermal modification of Ethiopian bentonite and (2) characterization, adsorption performance evaluation and kinetics study of the modified Ethiopian bentonite for removal of Zn(II). Characterization of both the raw and thermally modified bentonite clay for specific surface area and cation exchange capacity, surface functional groups, crystallinity and differential thermal analysis were studied using Methylene blue test, FTIR, XRD, DSC respectively. The surface area was increased from 147.1 m2/g to 310.2 m2/g as modification temperature increases from 300oC to 500oC. The results obtained from x-ray diffraction showed that the mineral is composed of montmorillonite and other impurities such as quartz, feldspar, muscovite, cristobalite and hematite. The thermal stability of the bentonite was studied using differential scanning calorimetry and from the result, it was confirmed that thermally stable up to 500 ℃. The effect of time, initial Zn(II) concentration and adsorbent dosage were experimentally studied using RSM