Abstract

DLAMINI, Derrick S; MISHRA, Ajay K  and  MAMBA, Bhekie B. Comparative study of EVA-Cloisite^® 20A and heat-treated EVA-Cloisite^® 20A on heavy-metal adsorption properties. Water SA [online]. 2012, vol.38, n.4, pp.519-528. ISSN 1816-7950.

Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)/ Cloisite® 20A (C20A) composite fabricated via the melt-blending method was used for the development of a heavy-metal adsorbent through acid and heat treatment. Heat-treated composites were produced at 400°C to 1 000°C in air and N₂ atmospheres. The materials were characterised through TGA, FT-IR, contact angle and Zetasizer. Treating EVA/C20A composites with H₂SO, at 130°C reduced the contact angle from 99.73° to 30.40°. The acid-function-alised composite was tested for the removal of Pb²+ and an adsorption capacity of 49 mg-g^-1 was recorded while the heat-treated composite exhibited an adsorption capacity of 153 mg-g^-1.

Keywords : ash; EVA; bentonite; activation; adsorption.

        · text in English     · English ( pdf )