Removal of sulfacid brilliant pink from an aqueous stream by adsorption onto surfactant-modified Ti-pillared montmorillonite

A modified hydrophobic and organophilic pillared clay (CTAC-TiH-montm) was prepared by exchanging some Ti polymeric cations into the interlamellar space of one Algerian montmorillonite (montm) and then by co-adsorption of some surfactant molecules such as cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC). These new materials were used in adsorption of an anionic textile dye: Sulfacid brilhant pink (SAP). According to adsorption isotherms, the organic modification of Ti-montmorillonite clay by CTAC surfactant increases the amount of textile dye fixed to more than 1000 mg g(-1). The adsorption experiments showed that a ratio of 3 mmol of CTAC per g of clay and an acidic medium (pH = 4) were the optimal parameters necessary to obtain good adsorption uptake and colourless treated solutions. A comparative study proved the. high adsorption capacity of the synthesised adsorbents; they can thus be considered as powerful competitors to activated carbon in the treatment of aqueous textile plants and industry effluents.