Research Journal of Applied Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6079ISSN: Print 1815-932x
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to find the best activator for bentonite to reduce the mercury content in a solution. Bentonite was activated by HCl, H3PO4, NaCl, ZnCl2, NaOH and KOH use different concentration such as 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5M. Activated bentonite has been characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive spectroscopy and atomic absorption spectrometry. Bentonite characterization showed that bentonite contains kaolinite, montmorillonite, quartz and cristobalite. Activated bentonite has bigger pores than natural bentonite. Atomic absorption spectrometry showed that H3PO4, HCl, NaCl, ZnCl2, NaOH and KOH can reduce the mercury around 99.99, 99.87, 97.48, 9.24, 99.81 and 99.86%. Thus, best activator for activated bentonite as a low-cost adsorbent is H3PO4.
How to cite this article:
Yudha Gusti Wibowo, Muhammad Naswir, Yusnelti Desfaurnatalia and L. Septiarini. Activated Bentonite: Low Cost Adsorbent to Reduce Mercury Content in A Solution.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/rjasci.2019.243.249
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-932x/rjasci.2019.243.249