Adsorption of benzoic acid and hydroquinone by organically modified bentonites

To evaluate the potential use of two modified bentonites in removing organic pollutants such as benzoic acid and hydroquinone from water, adsorption experiments were performed under conditions of varied pH (3, 6 and 11) and temperatures(298 and 313 K). Experimental results showed that the sorption capacities increase with decreasing pH value and increasing temperature. The adsorption equilibrium of benzoic acid and hydroquinone on organobentonites was described by the Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) models. It was concluded that the isotherm shapes were not affected by pH and temperature. Adsorption capacity of ODTMA-B for benzoic acid was higher compared to that of HDTMA-B at various pH and temperatures.