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Faculty of Technology Zvornik, University of East Sarajevo , Lukavica , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Faculty of Technology Zvornik, University of East Sarajevo , Lukavica , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Faculty of Technology, University of Banja Luka , Banja Luka , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Faculty of Technology, University of Tuzla , Tuzla , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Faculty of Technology Zvornik, University of East Sarajevo , Lukavica , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Faculty of Technology Zvornik, University of East Sarajevo , Lukavica , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Domestic bentonite clay (location Šipovo, Republika Srpska, BiH) is characterized by good structural, textural and morphological characteristics, and has the possibility of wide industrial application. Literature research has shown that the characteristics of this clay can be improved by various methods of modification, and then used for commercial purposes. The aim of this work was to analyze the changes in the surface characteristics of bentonite powder caused by activation with 8% w/w hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution at a temperature of 95 C. The bentonite was dominantly composed of montmorillonite mineral (92% w/w), and its BET area is 82.04 m2 /g. The following test methods were used to determine the effects of bentonite powder activation: Xray powder diffraction (XRPD), low-temperature nitrogen adsorption (BET method), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) method. Crystal phases of montmorillonite, nontronite and quartz were detected by XRPD in bentonite powder before and after activation, SEM/EDS methods showed that activation reduced particle dimensions, slightly increased SiO2 content, and decreased Al2O3 and Fe2O content. Bands indicating the presence of a smectite group of clays were observed on the recorded FTIR spectra, which were also identified by the XRPD method. The results of the BET method showed that the activation of bentonite powder resulted in a significant increase in specific surface area (316.25 m2 /g).
bentonite powder, hydrochloric acid activation, structural composition, textural characteristics, morphological characteristics, specific surface area
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