Removal of o-Cresol from aqueous solution using Algerian Na-Clay as adsorbent

Abstract

Cresols are phenolic pollutants found in industrial wastewaters. Their efficient removal is an important environmental concern. The isotherms and kinetics of the adsorption of an aqueous solution of o-Cresol, on a local Algerian Montmorillonite clay mineral (sodium clay (SC)) were determined experimentally. Various parameters influencing the adsorption were optimized, mainly the effect of the contact time, initial concentration and pH of the solution were studied. The experimental results obtained show that the equilibrium of sorption is reached within 15 min with a percentage of 99.507%. Indeed, the adsorbent dose is 15 mg with o-Cresol concentration of 62 mg/L, T = 25°C and pH 6.31 for the better adsorption. Results deducted from the adsorption isotherms also showed that the retention is predictable from these isotherms in agreement with the Langmuir model. Pseudo-second-order model describes the o-Cresol adsorption behavior with an intraparticle diffusion. In addition, the adsorption heat is around −31 kJ/K mol, which are in the limit between physical and chemical adsorption. The use of adsorptive properties of SC for the treatment of industrial wastewater seems to be an interesting solution.

Keywords:

• O-Cresol
• Sodium clay
• Adsorption
• Kinetics
• Environment

Acknowledgments

Financial support for this work by the Directorate General of Scientific Research and Technological Development (DGRSDT) of Algeria is gratefully appreciated. The authors thank the staff of Servicios Técnicos de Investigación (SSTTI) of the University of Alicante for characterization assistance.