International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume IX, Issue VII, July 2022 | ISSN 2321–2705
Yusuf A Abdullahi1, Moses T Langkuk2*, Kuje O Joseph1, Valentine O Adole3, Akaahimbe A Segun1, Salamatu U Mohammed1, and Elkanah M Dawes1
1Chemistry Department, University of Jos, P. M. B 2084, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
2Chemistry Advanced Research Center, Sheda science and technology complex (SHESTCO), P.M.B 186, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria.
3Chemistry Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe Univeristy, PMB 5025, Awka, Anambra State,
*Corresponding author
Abstract: Several adsorbents were prepared by acid-activating Kirfi Kaolin clay sample obtained from Kirfi village in Bauchi state, Nigeria using sulfuric acid. The raw clay and the prepared adsorbents were characterized for their physical properties (pH, moisture content, apparent bulk density, and adsorptive power) and their chemical compositions, and compared with the properties of a commercial bleaching clay (CBC). Bleaching study was used to determine the adsorptive power of the raw clay as an adsorbent, the adsorbents prepared from the raw clay and the CBC while chemical composition was done using AAS and XRF. The result of compositional analyses showed that the silica content of 50.07% to 74.32% and alumina content of 4.42% to 10.96 were the major components of the raw clay, CBC and the prepared absorbents. The adsorbents prepared with 1 M and 2 M H2SO4 had compositions and physical properties that are similar to that of the CBC, and also has an adsorption powers (81.35% and 94.05% respectively) that are comparable to that of CBC (96.25%).
Keywords: Acid activation, adsorbent, clay, edible oils, water purification, adsorption power
I.INTRODUCTION
Adsorption is a process in which atoms, ions or molecules from liquid, dissolved solid or gas adsorbed (or adhere) to the surface of a solid. The molecule that is adsorbed to the solid surface is called the adsorbate while the solid surface is called the adsorbent. Adsorption is a surface phenomenon that takes place by physical forces, and sometimes weak chemical forces [1], [2]. It is a key separation tool in different industries such as chemical, water, petrochemical, food and pharmaceutical industries. Separation, the opposite of mixing (a process highly favored by the second law of thermodynamics), is a process that transforms a mixture of substances into two or more products having different composition [3]. Separation is a difficult process as a result, it accounts for the largest production costs of many industrial products. The performance of any adsorptive separation or purification process is determined by the physicochemical properties such as the particle size distribution, particle shape, density, pH, ion exchange capacity etc. of the adsorbent [4].