Environmental pollution by lead (Pb 2+) and zinc (Zn 2+) ions has become an important issue due to its harmful effects on human health and environment. This work aims to evaluate the application of surface modified Egyptian bentonite mineral by acid activation using H2SO4 and thermal treatment as an adsorbent to remove lead (Pb 2+) and zinc (Zn 2+) ions from aqueous solution. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) techniques were used to investigate the modified bentonite. The impact of organic and inorganic dispersants on rheological characteristics of bentonite suspensions was investigated. Adsorption of Pb 2+ and Zn 2+ ions using modified bentonite mineral was performed with different adsorbent doses and pH values. Removal efficiencies of lead and zinc are 99.67% and 99%, respectively with adsorbent dose of 25 g/l at pH of 6.2.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.