Development of an Algerian material montmorillonite clay. Adsorption of phenol, 2-dichlorophenol and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol from aqueous solutions onto montmorillonite exchanged with transition metal complexes

The organo-clay is Na-montmorillonite modified first with tris 2,2'-bipyridyl iron (II) perchlorate complex, second with bis tri-(2-pyridyl) amine iron (II) perchlorate complex and finally with bis-[hydrido tris-(1-pyrazolyl) borato] iron (II) complex. The purpose of this work was to study the behaviour of local material, montmorillonite clay, and to look at the ability of this clay exchanged with transition metal complexes to sorb hazardous materials such as chlorinated phenols. We measured the sorption of phenol, 2-chlorophenol and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol by Na-saturated montmorillonite exchanged with transition metal complexes. Adsorption isotherms were fitted to the Freundlich and Langmuir equations, but the experimental results indicated that the adsorption capacity of organophilic clay did not obey a logical order, but depended on the nature of the exchanged complex. Two types of isotherms were obtained, the Langmuir, or type I and type V related to type III, isotherms were obtained in the adsorption of phenol, 2-chlorophenol and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol on exchanged montmorillonite. The work involves synthesis of complexes, and the method of preparation of some complexes is reported.