Structural characterization of dodecyltrimethylammonium (DTMA) bromide modified sepiolite and its adsorption isotherm studies

In this study, dodecyltrimethylammonium (DTMA) bromide was used to modify natural sepiolite via an ion exchange reaction to form DTMA-sepiolite. Sepiolite and DTMA-sepiolite were then characterized by using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), elemental analysis, XRD, FT-IR, thermogravimetric (TG) and zeta potential analysis techniques. The BET surface area of sepiolite significantly decreased from 152.14 m2 g–1 to 88.63 m2 g–1, after the modification, due to the coverage of the pores of sepiolite. DTMA was located onto sepiolite according to the differential thermogravimetric (dTG) peaks of DTMA-sepiolite. XRD results confirmed the interaction between DTMA+ cations and sepiolite. FT-IR spectra indicated the existence of DTMA functional groups on sepiolite surface. After the characterization was accomplished, adsorption isotherm studies of naphthalene, which is the first member of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), were carried out. The maximum adsorption capacity of DTMA-sepiolite for naphthalene was determined from Langmuir isotherm equation at pH 6 and 20 °C as 1.88 × 10–4 mol g−1 or 24.09 mg g−1.

► Sepiolite was modified with dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide.
► Surface area decreased with the modification due to coverage of sepiolite pores.
► The XRD results indicated that DTMA-Br attaches to the edges of sepiolite.
► The maximum adsorption capacity was 24.09 mg g−1 at pH 6 and 20 °C.
► Adsorption is physical in nature, spontaneous and endothermic.