Interaction between Kaolin and Urea in Organoclay and Its Impact on Removing Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution

Abstract

Interaction between kaolin (particle size 53 and 106 μm) and urea was studied by infrared spec-troscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. Interaction was found to be dependent on the particle size of kaolin raw material. Nature of interaction achieved through the formation of hydrogen bonds between urea and both AlOH and Si-O surface of kaolinite. Effect of temperature on equilibrium adsorption of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution using kaolin also studied, the results were analyzed by Langmuir and frendlich isotherms. Thermodynamic parameters such as ΔG, ΔH and ΔS were calculated. Results suggested that the MB adsorption on kaolin was spontaneous and exothermic process.