A comparison of single and mixed pillared clays for zinc and chromium cations removal

In order to explore the feasibility of improving zinc and chromium ability of zirconium-aluminium pillared clays (PILC), mixed zirconium-aluminium PILC with different Zr/Al ratio (Zr/Al = 100/0, 90/10, 50/50, 10/90 and 0/100) were prepared and investigated for their ability to remove zinc and chromium from water. Single and mixed PILC were characterized with X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption-desorption, FT-IR spectroscopy method, etc. Results indicate that, in the case of single PILC, zirconium PILC exhibited an adsorption capacity higher than aluminium PILC. In the case of mixed PILC, adsorption capacity increased as the ratio of Zr/Al increased. The influence of the pH values and the temperature on adsorption capacity was also investigated.