Effect of Activation Factors on Adsorption of Methylene Blue by Modified Bentonite

The aim of this investigation was to study the relationship between activation factors and adsorption of cationic dye, methylene blue (MB), by activated bentonite. The adsorption index was investigated as a function of acid type, activation temperature and time. A commercial bentonite was selected as a starting material and the effect of activation agent concentration and heat treatment on MB adsorption were determined in a batch setup. The obtained results showed that the adsorption capacity of activated adsorbents by hydrochloric, sulfuric and nitric acids are not only higher than that for untreated bentonite but also this parameter depends on activation condition and acid concentration. The finding results were confirmed by the measurement of the specific surface area of adsorbents with nitrogen adsorption technique, FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Prog.