Retention of liquid aromatic contaminants by hydrotalcites, derived mixed oxides, and reconstructed hydrotalcites

Abstract

Anionic clays or hydrotalcites are multifunctional materials that can improve processes such as adsorption of contaminants. Among these, aromatic organic compounds represent an environmental problem, since they are dispersed in wastewater usually generated by the petrochemical industry. This work presents the synthesis of hydrotalcites and mixed oxides derived from hydrotalcites, used in the adsorption of organic pollutants of the BTEX-phenol present in aqueous media. The results were compared with those of the reconstructed hydrotalcites in presence of BTEX-phenol. It was found that the adsorptive properties depend on the chemical composition and the structural properties of the materials. Although the initial hydrotalcites and the derived mixed oxides were efficient adsorbents, the regenerated hydrotalcites were much more active.