Removal Efficiency of Phenolic Compounds (Bisphenol A and Pentachlorophenol) by Adsorption Using a Bentonite-CTAB

Abstract

Bentonite clay modified with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) has been investigated as an effective adsorbent for the removal of bisphenol A (BPA) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) from aqueous solutions. The adsorption performance of Bentonite-CTAB was evaluated by conducting batch adsorption experiments under different conditions. The adsorption isotherms of BPA and PCP on Bentonite-CTAB (BT-CTAB) were analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich models. The Langmuir model provided a better fit to the experimental data, suggesting the presence of monolayer adsorption. The adsorption kinetics of BPA and PCP on Bentonite-CTAB were studied using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. The results indicate that the adsorption process follows pseudo-second-order kinetics, suggesting that the adsorption is controlled principally by chemisorption. Equilibrium time for both pollutants was achieved within 30–40 min. The results of adsorption studies indicated that Bentonite-CTAB exhibited excellent adsorption capacity for bisphenol A and pentachlorophenol. The high surface area and presence of active sites on Bentonite-CTAB favored adsorption of pollutants from aqueous solution. The adsorption process adopted pseudo-second-order kinetics, indicating the involvement of chemisorption. the adsorption isotherms of BPA and PCP on Bentonite-CTAB were analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich models. The Langmuir model provided a better fit to the data, suggesting monolayer adsorption.