Clay Mineral Characterization and Effect of the Particle Size onto Zinc Adsorption Kinetic Studies

Abstract

The mineralogy of clay from the Fez region (Morocco) has been studied by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET and sedimentation separation process. Clays have received considerable attention especially as potential adsorbents for environmental research and as membranes supports. This paper describes the clay characterization and the effect of particle size on the process of zinc adsorption from aqueous solution. Adsorption of Zn(II) ions from aqueous solutions was studied in a batch system using different clay material granulometry. The conditions fixed for the adsorption of Zn²⁺ ions from aqueous solution by clay material was investigated by considering the different parameters such as: contact time and particle size of the adsorbent (> 125, 125-20 and < 2 μm) at pH 6,7 at 25 ºC. The adsorption kinetic was consistent with Weber-Morris intra-particle diffusion, Lagergren pseudo first-second order and Elovich kinetic models.