Elimination of Chromium (VI) by Adsorption onto Natural and/or Modified Kaolinite

The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of a natural and / or modified kaolinite to adsorb chromium-containing aqueous effluents in its most toxic form (the hexavalent chromate ion (Cr (VI)). Adsorbant used in the present study is a kaolinite of hydrothermal origin. The modified kaolinite has been prepared by insertion of a cationic surfactant DTAC in interlayer space of this clay. The modification method is generally performed by the cation exchange reaction in the liquid state. The specific surface areas determined by nitrogen adsorption at 77 K for the two samples of kaolinite (natural and modified) are succinctly 48.75 and 63.72 m2/g. Scanning electron microscopy has shown that the used clay is in tubular form. The treatment of natural kaolin by the intercalation of cationic surfactant increased its specific surface of about 18 %. Therefore its power sorptif increased which was found by a comparative study of adsorption of Cr (VI) on natural kaolin and / or modified.