Purification, characterization, and time-dependent adsorption studies of Ghanaian muscovite clay

Abstract

Three clay samples (E1, E2, and C1) extracted from different parts of Ghana have been purified by sedimentation. &e samples were further characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and point of zero charge (pHpzc). PXRD and FT-IR data revealed the samples to be predominantly muscovite clay with percentages ranging from 82.71 to 91.33%. &e surfaces were mostly cationic with pHpzc ranging from 5.58 to 6.40. Morphological studies by SEM confirmed the crystalline nature of the surfaces which is suitable for adsorption studies. Time-dependent adsorption studies show that C1 is a good candidate for the adsorption of chlorophenols, methyl orange, and Eriochrome Black T