Preparation and characterization of CTAB-HACC bentonite and its ability to adsorb phenol from aqueous solution

A novel type of adsorbent was prepared by modifying bentonite with N-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HACC) with cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The adsorbent was named CTAB-HACC bentonite. Its characteristics were investigated using thermogravimetric, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction. The adsorption of phenol onto CTAB-HACC bentonite was evaluated by changing various parameters, such as contact time, adsorbent dosage, initial pH of the solution, and temperature. The maximum adsorption was observed at pH 12. Adsorption of phenol on CTAB-HACC bentonite favored at lower temperature and established the equilibrium in 30 min. The adsorption efficiency reached 82.1%, and the adsorption capacity was 7.12 mg/g from the phenol solution with a concentration of 500 mg/L at pH 12.0 and 20 °C.